Panel recommends Congress tighten charity tax laws News
Panel recommends Congress tighten charity tax laws

[JURIST] The independent Panel on the Nonprofit Sector [official website] released a report [PDF] Wednesday recommending that Congress require charities to develop stricter policies on the disclosure of financial information by retaining external independent accountants, reveal more details on executive compensation, and complete government information returns. The panel also suggested that Congress request audits of charities reporting annual revenues of $1 million or more and that policies should be developed to regulate travel expenses and whistleblower protection. The panel includes philanthropic leaders who are advising the US Senate Finance Committee [official website], which has already suggested stricter laws [JURIST report] to regulate charities. US Senator Chuck Grassley [official website], chairman of the Senate committee, plans to introduce the widest reforms to charity tax laws [press release] since 1969. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.