A co-founder of The Lincoln Project reportedly launched a little known dark money organization that possibly enriched him and his allies even further than the super PAC did.
According to a 990 disclosure filed with the Internal Revenue Service, Reed Galen was principal officer of non-profit Project Yellowstone.
Both Project Yellowstone and Summit Strategic Communications, Galen's consulting firm, were based in Park City, Utah, per CNBC.
Project Yellowstone's website said it was a 501(c)(4) created to educate voters on how to vote in person or by mail in the 2020 presidential election.
The Lincoln Project was among the best-known, never-Trump organizations. Among its activities were creating ads and web postings challenging former President Donald Trump and his supporters.
Documents showed The Lincoln Project and Project Yellowstone were directly linked, according to CNBC.
Although not illegal, the arrangement could have allowed behind the scenes payments to firms with ties to the super PAC's leadership or other vendors that often worked with The Lincoln Project.
Galen's firm earned more than $24 million from The Lincoln Project during the 2020 election cycle, according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
The discovery of Project Yellowstone and its connection to The Lincoln Project came as the super PAC's co-founder John Weaver faced accusations of sexual misconduct. Numerous reports indicated heads of the organization were aware of Weaver's alleged behavior throughout the 2020 presidential election, although the group has denied that.
Project Yellowstone Co-Executive Director Erin Dobson said on her LinkedIn page the group was a "partner organization of The Lincoln Project." Galen was not listed on the group's website.
Neither Galen, The Lincoln Project, nor Project Yellowstone responded to a CNBC request for comment.
Dobson emailed CNBC after the story was published.
"Project Yellowstone's efforts began in August 2020 and it raised approximately $6,000,000 of which approximately $5,550,000 was spent for nonpartisan communications during the General Election and in the Georgia Senate run-off," Dobson's email said.
"The co-executive directors were paid as independent consultants. Project Yellowstone also contracted directly with vendors to produce video and radio content, amplify that content on digital and broadcast platforms, fundraising efforts, legal, and administrative tasks. Project Yellowstone will file it's 2020 990 in May of 2021 as required."
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