Black Caucus Disputes Story on Corporate Ties, Fundraising Practices

Black lawmakers are raising a ruckus about a recent New York Times story questioning the Congressional Black Caucus' ties to corporate interests -- some of them accused of exploitative practices in African-American communities, Politico reports.

The caucus' chairwoman, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), said the article had unfairly linked the caucus and the Congressional Black Foundation, a separate entity that the Times called a "fund-raising juggernaut" for the caucus.

In a letter to the paper, Lee said it was a "disservice to the CBC" and other organizations named in the article to lump them together in a way that demeans each as well as their work. She asked the Times for an acknowledgment that the story was misleading and "well below " journalistic standards. But she did not ask for a correction.

The Times story said the foundation's corporate backers include Wal-Mart, General Motors, Coca-Cola, AT&T and Altria, the large tobacco company. Millions of dollars have been raised, some of which goes to charities, but a lot of it is spent on elaborate social events and conventions, the newspaper said.

The black caucus is comprised of 42 members of the House of Representatives -- all Democrats.