Political Contributions
Lorillard Political Contributions Disclosure
Government Relations
Lorillard recognizes that good citizenship includes involvement in the political process, and this means supporting political leaders who give full and careful consideration to all sides of an issue. Lorillard’s seeks to play a constructive role in helping to build lines of communication regarding legislation and regulations that may impact our ability to manufacture and sell cigarettes and other tobacco products and the freedom of our consumers to enjoy using our products. Elected officials make decisions that directly affect our ability to offer quality cigarettes to our adult consumers at an affordable price. Therefore, our active participation in the political process is important to ensure that we have a voice in these decisions.
Political Contributions
Lorillard may make direct contributions to support federal and state political parties as well as candidates in those states where such corporate contributions are allowed by law. Corporate contributions are periodically reported to the Board of Directors. In addition, Lorillard maintains the non-partisan Lorillard Tobacco Company Public Affairs Committee (“LOPAC”) to allow eligible Lorillard employees to combine their personal funds to participate in the federal and state political process. Both corporate and LOPAC contributions comply with all local, state and federal laws and all public disclosure requirements. Contributions are disbursed according to the following criteria:
- Does the candidate support pro business policies and public policy that promotes choice and free markets?
- Does the candidate serve on legislative committees with jurisdiction over issues of importance to our business?
- Does Lorillard conduct business in the state or district represented by the candidate?
- Does the candidate represent a state or district where Lorillard has a large concentration of employees and/or adult smokers?
Contribution Details
In 2011, Lorillard made $162,950 in corporate political contributions, and LOPAC made $130,606 in political contributions.
Information regarding many of Lorillard’s corporate political contributions can be found on the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov. A link to the IRS political contribution reports is provided below.
http://forms.irs.gov/politicalOrgsSearch/search/gotoAdvanced8872Search.action
Information on other Lorillard corporate contributions generally can be searched on the websites of the state campaign finance agencies that administer the reporting rules in the various states. Links to the various campaign finance agencies can be found at this Federal Election Commission listing: http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/cfsdd/cfsdd.shtml
Reports for LOPAC are filed according to the requirements of the Federal Election Commission and can be found at www.fec.gov. A link to the LOPAC political contribution reports is provided below.
http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/norcomsea.shtml
The websites noted above include contributions made to political candidates, political parties, political committees, ballot measures and other political entities organized and operating under 26 USC Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code.