CLC Alleges Dark Money Group Illegally Concealed Donors Who Paid for Electioneering Ad

On January 7, 2026, Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that “Conservatives Network,” a 501(c)(4) dark money corporation, violated federal campaign finance laws by failing to register and report as a political committee despite meeting the legal requirements for political committee status. Specifically, Conservatives Network, which was formed during the 2022 GOP Senate primary election in Missouri, spent over $600,000 on an electioneering ad supporting Eric Schmitt, which was effectively the group’s only activity before going dormant. As a result of this pop-up dark money scheme, it remains unclear to this day where the money for this ad came from.