Where did pro-Israel PAC go after Mar-a-Lago? No one seems to know

A newly formed pro-Israel, pro-Trump, multi-faith political action committee that held three fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago last season — including one with a surprise appearance by the president — has skipped town without paying some of its bills, had its Twitter account suspended and failed to file a campaign finance report.

Despite its woes, the American Pro-Israel PAC is still hosting posh, big-ticket fundraising events, including one in New York City on Nov. 11 that promises to leave guests “dazzled!” Ticket are $199 for general admission and $599 for a VIP reception and photos with an unidentified notable.

Two local vendors who provided services for APIP’s events at Mar-a-Lago but were not paid in full were surprised the group was still raising money. They have not been able to contact APIP.

The voicemail box of the phone number the group provided to the Federal Elections Commission has been full for months. Other numbers for the group’s founder, Jason Sullivan, have been disconnected. Two vendors said they received no reply to emails. The Palm Beach Post also got to response to emails and phone calls.

“I had a feeling something wasn’t right,” said Teresa Dailey, a West Palm Beach event coordinator who worked on the fundraisers. Dailey said APIP paid some of her bill but still owes her money.

Jay Goldfarb, president of Budget Printing Center in Riviera Beach, was so angry about not being paid in full that he sent a letter to 20 donors.

“Have you ever wondered where your contributions have gone?” Goldfarb began his letter. “Well, in the case of The American Pro-Israel PAC I would say all the contributions have gone into the pockets of the board and to fund parties to raise more funds for their use.”

None of the donors responded to his letter, said Goldfarb, who is still owed $695.50.

Sullivan, an associate of indicted Trump adviser Roger Stone, founded APIP in September 2018, three months after he testified before a grand jury investigating alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election. That investigation found no collusion.

Stone, now facing charges of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements in connection with the Russian attack on the 2016 election. hired Sullivan to work for an independent political action committee he set up to support Trump.

This summer, Twitter suspended the accounts of APIP and Sullivan, who once described himself as the “Wizard of Twitter,” who worked “behind the curtain” to elect Trump.

According to APIP’s website, its mission is to “elect candidates who embrace the Judeo-Christian worldview” and “support the nation of Israel as America’s closest ally.” Christians and Jews who attended the events were motivated by Trump’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, his recognition of the Golan Heights and his tough stance on Iran.

In November, APIP picked Mar-a-Lago as the venue for its first fundraiser. Trump made a quick appearance. According to end-of-year finance reports APIP filed with the FEC, the group paid Mar-a-Lago $38,871. In total, APIP raised $237,660 and spent $173,825 in 2018.

Expenses included $10,000 to Sullivan for board compensation and $2,124 for Sullivan’s travel. Other spending by the PAC includes $25,000 to Ramiro Pena, senior pastor of Christ the King Church in Waco, Texas. Pena once said “God has his hand on Donald Trump” and is a vocal supporter of Trump’s hard-line stance on border security. Pena also received $6,329 for travel.

The group hosted two more fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago in 2019 and a daylong conference at Temple Beth-El in West Palm Beach. Both were attended by some of the biggest names in Trump’s religious orbit: Apopka-based Pastor Paula White Cain, handpicked by Trump to deliver a prayer at his inauguration and head of his Evangelical Advisory Board; Pastor Mark Burns, dubbed “Trump’s Top Pastor” by Time magazine; and conservative radio talk-show host and author, Dennis Prager.

How much the group raised at those events isn’t known. APIP missed the July 31 deadline to file its 2019 mid-year report. On Aug. 15, the FEC sent a letter to Jeanne Sullivan, Sullivan’s mother and APIP’s new treasurer, warning of fines that accrue daily for late reporting.

As for the Nov. 11 fundraiser in New York, a slick video promoting the event shows a montage of performers, including acrobats, musicians and dancers. However, the website does not say where the event will be held or who will be its “very special guest speaker.”

Cstapleton@pbpost.com

@StapletonPBP