Florida Politics: Watchdog group urges Wilton Simpson to investigate energy nonprofits’ ties to China
Americans for Public Trust says EF China and its U.S. spinoff shouldn’t be allowed to raise money in Florida.
A federal watchdog says the Energy Foundation China (EF China) and U.S. Energy Foundation (US EF) violated Florida fundraising regulations.
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Americans for Public Trust (APT), a group focused on foreign dark money fundraising, sent a letter to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson alleging the nonprofit groups broke Florida’s Solicitation of Contributions Act. That requires any nonprofits soliciting donations in Florida to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs — and now bars registered entities from taking money from any “foreign source of concern.”
“EF China, an organization ‘that works with the Chinese government on climate change issues,’ is one of the most prolific processers of foreign dark money,” wrote Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director of APT, in a six-page letter to Simpson.
The organization says EF China directs money in different nations through other nonprofits.
“While this foreign funding — which is mostly pushing extremist environmental policies — has been exposed, countless more millions could very-well be flowing into EF China from the United States’ adversaries, as EF China has selectively disclosed only certain ‘key funders.’ As such, the systemic interconnectedness between EF China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accentuates the urgent need for extensive inquiry,” the letter reads.
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Allied groups endorsed the need for a state investigation.
“Given Energy Foundation China’s well-documented alignment with the Chinese Communist Party, it should shock no one to learn that the organization may be skirting Florida law to push an agenda that undermines American energy security and deepens our dependence on Beijing’s so-called ‘red’ technology,” said Michael Lucci, State Armor founder and CEO.
“The CCP has been explicit about using every lever of influence available to advance its strategic goals, often at the direct expense of U.S. interests. Commissioner Simpson should thoroughly scrutinize Energy Foundation China and its U.S. affiliate to ensure Florida is fully protected from any attempt by the CCP to exert malign influence in the state. And in 2026, Florida should enact a robust foreign agent registration law to bring much needed sunlight to CCP influence agents who are conducting political warfare within the State of Florida.”
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