According to a former Conservative Political Action Conference board member, the organization behind the high-profile gatherings claims it is on its last legs due to the legal problems of Chairman Matt Schlapp, as well as its declining influence among American conservatives.
On Monday, longtime conservative leader Morton Blackwell departed the organization, the latest in a growing list of board members who have stepped away over accusations that Schlapp is using CPAC as the point of the spear against multiple accusations of sexual assault.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that former CPAC vice president Charlie Gerow delivered a resignation letter to the board in August that contained a list of grievances about Schlapp's conduct, including questions about CPAC finances.
In light of the Blackwell departure — the fifth in recent months — anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist, who served on the CPAC board for 15 years, claimed the end is near for an organization that time has passed by.
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Speaking to the Washington Post, Norquist explained, "Morton Blackwell resigning is a signal to the entire conservative movement that the game is over," before adding, "CPAC stopped being a useful part of the movement long ago and now it’s veering toward dysfunctional.”
According to an attorney who previously served on the American Conservative Union's board for decades and who specializes in non-profits, CPAC should not be on the hook for Schlapp's legal problems.
James Lacy suggested, "The conduct at issue isn’t something ACU should be responsible for."
"It’s a big mistake because it has the effect of implicating ACU in the conflict, plus it’s a financial burden. The appropriate people to pay for the defense are the Schlapps [Matt and wife Mercedes] themselves," he added.
Al Cardenas, who served as chairman immediately before Schlapp, agreed, telling the Post, "It’s time for damage control if ACU is going to continue to be a viable entity. For the benefit of the ACU and its future, there’s no other solution than to elect new leadership.”
