The Curious Case of Conservative Bonuses: Marriage Incentives Amidst Scandal

In the often-murky waters of political non-profits, a peculiar financial practice has surfaced, drawing attention to an Ohio-based conservative organization and its founder, former Republican State Representative Wes Goodman. While promoting traditional family values, the Conservative Action Forum, under Goodman's leadership, offered a strikingly direct incentive for its employees to tie the knot: significant cash bonuses for getting married.

Tax filings from the organization, established by Goodman, revealed that employees who exchanged vows were rewarded handsomely.

In 2015, for instance, Joe R. Miller, the Executive Director, received a $5,000 bonus following his marriage. The same year, another staff member, Joshua Hughes, was also granted a $5,000 bonus for his marital status change. Not an isolated incident, the trend continued into 2016, with Ashley Hughes receiving a $2,500 bonus for her marriage.

These aren't typical benefits packages, especially for a non-profit, prompting questions about the organization's priorities and use of funds.

The policy itself, while unusual in its direct financial inducement, aligns squarely with the stated "pro-family" and traditional marriage platforms often espoused by conservative groups.

It presents a clear, tangible encouragement for employees to embrace a lifestyle that is frequently lauded in conservative rhetoric. However, the revelation of these bonuses takes on an entirely different hue when viewed through the lens of Goodman's own public downfall.

Wes Goodman, a staunch advocate for conservative principles and family values during his tenure as an Ohio state representative, resigned abruptly in November 2017.

His resignation came after "inappropriate conduct" allegations surfaced, leading to a swift and quiet departure from public office. This scandal cast a long shadow over his political career and, by extension, the organizations he founded and led, including the Conservative Action Forum.

The juxtaposition of a non-profit actively rewarding marriage with thousands of dollars, established by a public figure whose career ended due to alleged personal misconduct, creates a compelling narrative.

It raises critical questions about the sincerity of publicly championed values versus private actions, and the financial mechanisms used to promote specific ideologies. While the Conservative Action Forum's website is no longer active, its legacy of incentivizing marriage remains etched in its financial disclosures, a testament to a unique, and now complicated, chapter in Ohio's conservative political landscape.