| Formation | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 2012 |
| Legal status | 501(c)(4) |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC |
Region served | United States |
President and CEO | Ginni Thomas |
Liberty Central was a non-profitconservative political advocacy group founded in 2009 byGinni Thomas, wife ofU.S. Supreme Court Associate JusticeClarence Thomas, withLeonard Leo listed as a director and $500,000 financing fromHarlan Crow.[1][2] Virginia Thomas was formally listed as president and CEO.[3] The group ceased operations in 2012.[4]
Its declared purpose was stated on its website as "America's Public Square. We Listen. We Inspire. We Activate ... to secure the blessings of liberty."[5] The organization was promoted at the 2010Conservative Political Action Conference as "an online community for those seeking to "preserve freedom and reaffirm the core founding principles."[6]Ed Morrissey, a prominent conservative blogger who runsHotair.com, said the Liberty Central site would provide education in history and the Constitution for tea party activists.[6]
The group was founded withseed money of $550,000 coming from two donors whose names were undisclosed.[7] In a February 2011 article,Politico reported that the initial $500,000 contribution came from Dallas real estate investor and conservative philanthropistHarlan Crow.[8][9]
Liberty Central activities have included hosting a live web cast on October 20, 2010, in conjunction with theFamily Research Council to protest the January 2011 expiration of tax cuts that were passed in 2001 and 2003.[3]
According toUnited Press International, the Liberty Central group has been highly critical of U.S. PresidentBarack Obama.[7]
Thomas has been criticized for her involvement in Liberty Central because someone who contributes to the group may have a case before the Supreme Court.[7] However, there is no law limiting what Thomas can do, and according to some legal experts Supreme Court Justices are not required torecuse themselves from cases where they may have aconflict of interest.[7]
On October 21, 2010, Thomas was specifically criticized for taking a position, via Liberty Central, on an issue that was likely to come before the Supreme Court - whether the2010 health care legislation was unconstitutional.[10] A memo signed by Thomas that called for the repeal of the law and that was posted on the Liberty Central website was removed following the criticism. A Liberty Central spokesperson explained that Thomas had not personally reviewed the memo and that it been mistakenly approved by a staff member, and had been circulated by another group, the Conservative Action Project.[10][11]