Former US Congressman Mark Siljander Accused of Funding Terrorism

This week a former United States representative from Michigan (R), Mark Deli Siljander was indicted with money laundering, conspiracy and obstructing justice charges. Mr. Siljander also was a delegate to the United Nations after his time as a US congressman. It is alleged that this money, which he stated was lobbied for charity, was actually used to fund Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

It is alleged that Congressman Siljander lobbied United States Senators on behalf of a Missouri based Islamic charity organization the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA). This charity organization sent approximately $130,000 to bank accounts in Peshawar, Pakistan. Some of these accounts were accessed by Gilbuddin Hekmatyar. According to the US Justice Department; Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has "vowed to engage in a holy war against the United states and international troops."

Mr. Siljander who is now 57 years old, runs a public relations firm was allegedly paid $50,000 by the Islamic Charity for his fund raising efforts. The charity organization was also closed in 2004 when the treasury department listed it as suspected fundraisers for terrorists.

It is very possible for someone to not have the full disclosure of a charitable organization's intentions when a person gives to the collection plate. Many people give money to the Salvation Army bucket at Christmas time, but how many people know the Salvation Army's intentions and what they do with that money? We put our trust with the people running the charity that the money will be used for well intended purposes.

However, there is a history of charitable organizations running misleading campaigns in order to collect funds. Anyone that grew up in the Boston area will remember seeing the collection plates in Pubs "for the Irish orphans." Did these funds actually make it to orphans from the guerilla war with the British? Did these funds actually go to by weapons to aid the Irish Republican Army a known terrorist organization sworn to fight an American ally?