State official threatens charitable status of group that initiated Target boycott

A Connecticut official has threatened to remove the charitable status of the American Family Association (AFA) for allegedly violating the anti-discrimination regulations of the state's charity scheme.

On Nov. 30, state comptroller Kevin Lembo sent a letter to AFA president Tim Wildmon informing him that the organization may be in violation of the anti-discrimination regulations of Connecticut State Employee Campaign (CSEC) for Charitable Giving.

Lembo, who identified himself as "Connecticut's first openly gay statewide elected official," pointed out that the AFA has initiated a petition to boycott Target over its transgender bathroom policy and has denounced the jewelry retailer Zales for advertising products for same-sex couples.

He said that he was troubled by the actions and statements made by the AFA and he is launching an investigation "to determine whether AFA is in compliance with the requirements of the CSEC."

Apart from violating the anti-discrimination rules, Lembo also questioned whether AFA is actually delivering charitable services, according to a report from Breitbart.

Abraham Hamilton III, general counsel and public policy analyst for AFA, described the move as an abuse of power.

"Because of his personal objections to the American Family Association's stance on issues like marriage and the Target boycott, then he sees fit to threaten us with his governmental position," Hamilton told OneNewsNow.

The comptroller asked AFA to submit written documentation of its policy of non-discrimination to affirm that it does not discriminate against any person or group.

In response to Lembo, the AFA issued a statement in arguing that the group had been approved and that state employees are allowed to donate to the charity of their choice under the state's charitable giving program.

"This is a state government official coming directly after your AFA, and the letter is nothing more than an attack on AFA for standing strong for Biblical principles. Moreover, it is an unconstitutional attack on the First Amendment rights of all religious organizations," the statement read.

A spokeswoman for Lembo told Breitbart that the investigation was launched following a complaint from a state employee and a review of AFA's public statements.