Catholic League Head Questioned Over Doubled Salary

NBC News reports:

William Donohue, the outspoken president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said Friday he would be “retiring in the next few years.”

Donohue made the announcement after NBC News asked him about the $480,000-plus raise over two years that boosted his salary to more than a million dollars a year — and which appeared on the most recent 990 form from 2019 that nonprofits are required to file with the IRS.

“Your information on my salary is incorrect,” Donohue said in an emailed response to a request for documentation that the Catholic League’s board of directors had approved the massive pay hike. “The board decided to grant me an exit compensation — I will be retiring probably in the next few years — and that is why the figure appears to double my salary.”

Read the full article.

Experts consulted by NBC say it’s very unusual for “exit compensation” to be paid years ahead of a vague retirement plan.

They also question what the Catholic League actually does with its reported $60 million in assets.

Donohue claims to get no financial support from the Catholic Church itself, saying he has no “sugar daddies.”

Per their filing, the Catholic League has 12 employees, but none would respond to NBC’s inquiries.

“Donohue made the announcement after NBC News asked him about the $480,000-plus raise over two years that boosted his salary to more than a million dollars a year.” Wow —> https://t.co/nMuCcLuytp

— Ben Feuerherd (@benfeuerherd) February 12, 2022