Bruce Eberle
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Bruce W. Eberle (b. Dec 14, 1943 in Saint Joseph, Missouri) is founder of the Eberle Communications Group, Eberle & Associates, Inc (1974) and the MillionsofAmericans.com conservative web site. He is also a board member of a number of Christian non-profit organizations.
From 1991 to 1993, hearings in the Senate Committee on POW/MIA Affairs revealed that donations collected Operation Rescue (a client of Eberle & Associates) for an MIA rescue operation run by Colonel Jack Bailey (USAF, Ret.), involving a ship, the Akuna II, said to be located off the coast of Vietnam was in fact being used for other purposes. Associated Press reported that the ship had actually been docked for two years. Bailey's group kept more than 88% of the $2.2 million in contributions [1].
Bruce Eberle and employees of Eberle & Associates who wrote the fliers, told investigators that like Bob Hope, Congressman Don Bailey (no relation), Jack Kemp, and General William Westmoreland) they believed Bailey. They told the committee that the observation that the "men are in terrible shape. Their time is running out" came directly from Bailey. [2]"
Senator Kerry said at the conclusion of the hearings, "You [Eberle] have a fine reputation, a fine reputation indeed."
Mr. Eberle's fundraising group, Eberle Associates, raised funds for Ronald Reagan in his first presidential bid in 1975-76 in which effort a new record was set for net revenue raised on bedhalf of a presidential candidate. Subsequent to that effort Eberle Associates has raised funds for a wide number of world class museums and presidential libraries. Eberle Associates is a long-time member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau and received the leadership award from Youth for Tomorrow for his service as President of that organization. He was also selected to give the commencement address at Wisconsin Lutheran College where he received the Pro Gloria Dei award.
Eberle raises money for a wide variety of animal sanctuaries, museums, think tanks, American shrines, advocacy groups, and veterans groups.
In 2003, MillionOfAmericans.com was sold to Bobby Eberle (no relation) and merged with the GOPUSA.com organization.
[edit] Ethics Charges
Interestingly, in addition to his conservative base, Eberle also raises considerable funds for well-known and respected animal welfare organization such as Tiger Haven, Tiger Creek, Tiger Tracks, and Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue Ranch. A self-styled animal advocacy group called ANIMAL PEOPLE investigated Bruce Eberle's fundraising services. After reporting false and misleading information about Eberle, Animal People was forced to issue an apology and a retraction after a law suit by Mr. Eberle.
In the Settlement Agreement Merrit Clifton (editor of Animal People, the publication of a non profit organization by the same name) agreed to “cease and desist from any tortious interference with existing and/or prospective business relationships with existing, future and/or prospective clients of Bruce W. Eberle, Fund Raising Strategies, Inc. and Omega List Company.”
