Petrelis Files

Brent Jones
Reader Editor
USA Today

Dear Mr. Jones:

I am a news consumer and blogger who has spent the past several months researching donations from media personalities to politicians and causes. You can read my blog at mpetrelis.blogspot.com.

A search today at the Political Money Line web site, www.tray.com, turned up the following listings from donors who listed USA Today as their employer, including Mr. Al Neuharth, founder of the newspaper.

Since 1986 USA Today employees have donated $10,000 to federal candidates, both Democratic and Republican, and the Democratic National Committee.

My questions to you are: What is USA Today's policy regarding contributions from editorial and non-editorial employees to politicians? Has the paper disclosed the donations to readers, either in print or on the paper's web site? Did the donations from USA Today reporters in any way influence reporting of either candidates or political parties?

A prompt reply is requested and appreciated.

Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Ph: 415-621-6267
^^^

O'Donnell, Jayne
3/27/2003 $250.00
Mc Lean, VA 22101
USA Today/Journalist -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA

Shriver, Jerry Dean
6/12/2003 $1,000.00
New York, NY 10019
USA Today/Journalist -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Willing, Richard T Jr
2/5/2003 $250.00
Mc Lean, VA 22101
USA Today/Reporter -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA

Willing, Richard T Jr
3/31/2003 $250.00
Mc Lean, VA 22101
USA Today/Reporter -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA

KASTNER, NELDA
2/21/2002 $1,000.00
MC LEAN, VA 22101
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
SENATOR JOHN WARNER COMMITTEE

KASTNER, NELDA M
6/6/2000 $1,000.00
MCLEAN, VA 22101
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
TOM DAVIS FOR CONGRESS

SCHWARTZ, HILARY E
9/12/2000 $250.00
NEW YORK, NY 10011
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

KEANE, ELIZABETH
6/29/1998 $1,000.00
ARLINGTON, VA 22207
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
KEANE COMMITTEE

MADONNA, WILLIAM
3/22/1996 $200.00
REDONDO BEACH, CA 90278
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

SMITH, JANET DR
2/17/1995 $200.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

NEUBARTH [sic], ALLEN H
9/21/1994 $1,000.00
COCOA BEACH, FL 32931
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
SUE MUNSEY FOR CONGRESS

SMITH, JANET
12/1/1993 $200.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

METZ, ROBERT
10/10/1992 $500.00
NAPLES, FL 33942
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
LARRY METZ FOR CONGRESS

FARRELL, THOMAS J
5/13/1989 $250.00
MCLEAN, VA 22101
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
PAXON FOR CONGRESS

FARRELL, THOMAS J
4/20/1990 $250.00
MCLEAN, VA 22101
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
PAXON FOR CONGRESS

FARRELL, THOMAS J
7/20/1990 $200.00
MCLEAN, VA 22101
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
PAXON FOR CONGRESS

FARRELL, THOMAS J MR
10/24/1989 $200.00
MCLEAN, VA 22101
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
PAXON FOR CONGRESS

BLACK, CATHLEEN
6/23/1986 $1,000.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
FRIENDS OF GEORGE HIRSCH

SALEMBIER, VALERIE
7/1/1986 $1,000.00
NEW YORK, NY 10016
USA TODAY -[Contribution]
FRIENDS OF GEORGE HIRSCH