# Open Society Foundations: Critical Analysis and Opposition Research **Main Takeaway:** The [Open Society Foundations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Society_Foundations) (OSF), founded by [[George Soros]] and rebranded in 2010 from the Open Society Institute, claim a mission of advancing justice and democracy. However, declassified materials and documented affiliations reveal coordinated efforts with the [[Hillary Clinton]] campaign to promote the "Russia collusion" narrative, raising questions under nonprofit election‐coordination prohibitions, potential misrepresentation, and ethical lapses. No criminal charges have been filed, but civil and administrative penalties under federal law remain conceivable. ## 1. Organizational Background and Rebranding The Open Society Institute, created in 1993 to support [[George Soros]]'s Eastern European philanthropy, adopted the name **Open Society Foundations** (OSF) in August 2010 to reflect its [expansive global grant‐making network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Society_Foundations) across six regions and 37 countries, with reported expenditures exceeding US$23 billion since inception. - **Founding and Name Change:** - Established in 1984 in Hungary as the Soros Foundation; [U.S. entity formed in 1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Society_Foundations) as the **Open Society Institute**. - Rebranded to **Open Society Foundations** in August 2010 to [better denote its role](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Society_Foundations) as a global benefactor. - **Leadership:** - Founder and Chair: [[George Soros]], whose [personal donations exceed $32 billion](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/newsroom/open-society-foundations-and-george-soros). - Senior Vice President: [[Leonard Benardo]], [directing the Ideas & Fellowships Collaborative](https://nyihumanities.org/leonard-benardo). ## 2. Leonard Benardo and Campaign Connections [[Leonard Benardo]], Senior Vice President and former regional director for Eurasia at OSF, is central to the declassified allegations: - **Role at OSF:** [Senior Vice President](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/who-we-are/leadership/leonard-benardo), overseeing global programs that include policy advocacy and grant‐making strategies. - **Alleged Campaign Coordination:** [Newly declassified July 2016 emails](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/soros-alleged-ties-russiagate-exposed-declassified-annex-durham-report)—purportedly authored by [[Leonard Benardo]]—suggest Clinton campaign approval to emphasize Trump–Russia collusion to "distract people from her own missing emails," and anticipated [[FBI]] support ("Later the FBI will put more oil into the fire."). ## 3. Declassified Evidence: Russiagate Hoax & Crossfire Hurricane ### 3.1 "Clinton Plan" Emails and Soros Ties - **Durham Annex Findings:** Special Counsel [[John Durham]]'s [declassified 29-page annex](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/durham-annex-evidence-likely-made-up-russia-1235398702/) indicates the two pivotal emails were likely **fabricated by Russian intelligence** using text from various hacked think-tank communications, rather than originating from [[Leonard Benardo]] himself. - **OSF Response:** OSF [denies orchestrating any campaign activity](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/newsroom/false-reckless-and-dangerous-claims-against-open-society-and-its-staff-on-durham-report), labeling the claims "malicious disinformation" traced to Russian intelligence. ### 3.2 FBI's Crossfire Hurricane Investigation - **Origin Justification:** Inspector General [[Michael Horowitz]] found ["authorized purpose" and "adequate factual predication"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspector_General_report_on_the_Crossfire_Hurricane_investigation) in launching Crossfire Hurricane based on Australian intelligence regarding [[George Papadopoulos]], not the Steele dossier or OSF materials. - **FISA Application Errors:** The [IG report identified 17 errors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspector_General_report_on_the_Crossfire_Hurricane_investigation) or omissions in FISA warrant applications for [[Carter Page]] but found no evidence of political bias influencing the investigation's initiation. ## 4. Legal Analysis of Potential Culpability ### 4.1 Federal Criminal Liability - **No Criminal Charges:** Neither OSF nor its staff, including [[Leonard Benardo]], have been criminally charged in connection with the declassified materials or alleged campaign coordination. - **Possible Violations (Uncharged):** - **Election Law:** If OSF (a 501(c)(3) entity) engaged in prohibited "political campaign intervention" by coordinating with the Clinton campaign, it could risk revocation of tax‐exempt status and civil penalties under Internal Revenue Code §§ 501(c)(3) and 6033(e). - **Conspiracy or False Statement:** No credible evidence found to warrant prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy) or 18 U.S.C. § 1001 (false statements), as [[John Durham]] and the [IG reports found no actionable wrongdoing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspector_General_report_on_the_Crossfire_Hurricane_investigation). ### 4.2 Civil and Administrative Penalties - **Tax Penalties:** IRS may assess intermediate sanctions (excise taxes) on disqualified persons if OSF funds were used impermissibly for political coordination. - **FEC Scrutiny:** Though OSF is not required to register with the FEC, any direct contributions or in-kind coordination with political campaigns could trigger enforcement under 52 U.S.C. § 30104. ### 4.3 Professional and Regulatory Consequences - **Grantor Reputation:** Potential loss of credibility among grantees and partners following public discrediting of key OSF figures. - **Licensure and Clearances:** No evidence suggests threats to professional licenses or security clearances of OSF leadership; however, continued allegations could imperil future appointments requiring high‐level trust. ## 5. Conclusions and Recommendations 1. **Credibility at Stake:** [[John Durham]]'s finding that the "Clinton Plan" emails were likely Russian fabrications undermines the core allegation but does not fully exonerate OSF from scrutiny under nonprofit election‐coordination rules. 2. **Tax‐Exempt Review:** IRS and state attorneys general may consider an audit of OSF's 501(c)(3) status and grant expenditures during the 2016 cycle to verify compliance with political activity restrictions. 3. **Enhanced Transparency:** OSF should publicly disclose relevant email archives and internal processes governing external communications to rebuild trust and demonstrate adherence to its nonpartisan mandate. 4. **Legal Safeguards:** Adoption of stricter policies prohibiting staff engagement in campaign strategy discussions and regular training on 501(c)(3) limitations is imperative. By assessing organizational history alongside declassified evidence and legal frameworks, this analysis highlights significant challenges to OSF's stated mission of human rights and democracy promotion. While criminal culpability appears unlikely based on current findings, civil and administrative exposures loom should further evidence of prohibited campaign coordination emerge.