News

GLAAD under fire over excessive spending on CEO Sarah Kate Ellis — including first-class flights, ritzy hotels, $20K home office revamp: report

A top LGBTQ organization spent big bucks for its chief executive officer to take pricey flights, stay in ritzy hotels and summer rentals and even dropped nearly $20,000 on her home-office remodel, a damning report alleged Thursday.

GLAAD’s spending on CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, 52, was so extravagant that it worried its former chief financial officer and could have potentially violated IRS rules, according to a New York Times report that dug into payments between January 2022 and June 2023 and other documents.

Ellis, who makes roughly $700,000 annually at the non-profit, used at least $18,000 of a $20,000 allotment to renovate her home office on the top floor of her Long Island home, a revamp that included ivory pillows and a chandler, the newspaper reported.

GLAAD spent big bucks for its chief executive officer Sarah Kate Ellis to take pricey flights, stay in ritzy hotels and summer rentals, according to a report.Getty Images for GLAAD

Ellis, seen with Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, makes roughly $700,000 annually at the non-profit.@sarahkateellis/Instagram

The overhaul ensured the space was “suitable” for television appearances and virtual events, a GLAAD spokesperson claimed to the Times.

The Post has reached out to GLAAD for comment.

Because GLAAD did not declare the home renovation costs as income on Ellis’ tax forms — on advice from its lawyers — she most likely didn’t pay taxes on it, which nonprofit experts believe might have been an IRS violation, according to the Times.

Other lavish expenses reportedly included first-class flights, hotel stays at properties like the Waldorf Astoria — and a Cape Cod summer rental that cost $15,000.

Ellis used at least $18,000 of a $20,000 allotment to renovate her home office on the top floor of her Long Island home. She is seen with Joe Biden in an undated event.@sarahkateellis/Instagram

The spokesperson defended the seasonal digs because it allowed Ellis to raise millions of dollars when fundraising is usually slow and called the luxe rental a business expense.

Last year, the spending raised alarm bells with GLAAD’s then-chief financial officer, Emily Plauche, who thought the doling out of money conflicted with the organization’s policies and was not being disclosed properly to the IRS, according to the Times.

After a law firm investigated her concerns, the organization changed its travel policies.

Ellis’ other lavish expenses reportedly included first-class flights, hotel stays at properties like the Waldorf Astoria.@sarahkateellis/Instagram

Hannah Waddingham and Colman Domingo with Sarah Kate Ellis at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

GLAAD defended the spending while its board of directors’ chair stated the board “stand firmly behind” Ellis.

“I take my role as GLAAD’s financial steward incredibly seriously, and we’ll continue updating our procedures to keep pace with the organization’s rapid growth,” Ellis, who has had the job since 2014, said in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter.

“Our work has never been more urgent, because the LGBTQ community is under increasing attack.”

The organization also criticized the Times for tossing “significant resources to spin a negative story,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

GLAAD has been critical of the Times’ coverage of transgender people.

The Gray Lady’s spokesperson shot back that the article “was fair, accurate and based on objective information in GLAAD’s expense reports, employment contracts, tax filings and other documents,” according to the outlet.

Related Posts

LeBron James Always Thinks of Himself as a Victim, Says ‘It Was Unfair to Throw Me Out of the Team’

In an astonishing twist that could only happen in the high-drama world of professional basketball, James LeBron, the perennial all-star and self-proclaimed ‘Chosen One’, has recently declared himself…

Lia Thomas Tired of Backlash, Dares Riley Gaines to a Rematch: “Let’s Settle This Once and for All!

In the world of competitive sports, rivalries are the lifeblood that fuels excitement and drives athletes to push beyond their limits. Recently, Lia Thomas, the trailblazing transgender swimmer,…

Breaking: Sunny Hostin Walks Out Crying After Confronting Elon Musk On The View

In a dramatic turn of events on The View, co-host Sunny Hostin found herself overwhelmed with emotion as she confronted Tesla CEO Elon Musk during a heated exchange….

“WORST GUEST EVER! “: Modern Family Star Eric Stonestreet Is Mocked on the Podcast By Taylor Strecker

Do you know the popular actor Eric Stonestreet? Well, who doesn’t? He earned fame for his role as Cameron Tucker in the famous sitcom Modern Family, where he…

Breaking: Harrison Butker Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize Following Historic Speech, “We Stand With Him”

In an unexpected turn of events that blends the realms of sports and global diplomacy, Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker renowned for his on-field precision, has…

Mark Wahlberg Rejects Disney’s $2 Billion Project: “No Chance I’ll Work With Them Again, Don’t Need That Wokeness in My Life”

In a shocking and self-assured move, Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg has turned down a $2 billion offer from Disney to star in its latest blockbuster project, citing a…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *