HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED

OpenSecrets Reports: Shadow Money Magic

During the 2010 and 2012 elections, dozens of groups pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into the electoral system while dodging the disclosure requirements that apply to almost all other organizations that support or oppose political candidates; it came to be known as "shadow" or "dark" money. The groups took in unlimited amounts of money from people and corporations and spent it on ads or passed it along to friends at other groups that did the spending themselves, all while avoiding more than glancing oversight by federal regulators.

Call it the return of mystery money.

Five Easy Steps That Let You Play Big in Politics, Hide Your Donors and Game the IRS

Shadow Money Magic | OpenSecrets