What have you done?

Public Good Project began as a 1993 investigation into stealth politics which showed there was a political convergence of business interests and domestic terrorists actively attacking the foundations of our free and open society. Subsequent Public Good investigations into the Wise Use anti-environmentalist movement, right-wing paramilitary organizing, anti-Indian activities, and public disclosure law violations, revealed ties between land speculators and right-wing paramilitary organizing.

During 1994, Public Good organized the first national research conference on right-wing paramilitary activities, produced an article Merchant of Fear on Wise Use leader Alan Gottlieb, established a computer network for investigative researchers, and assisted in the formation of a human rights task force. Public Good later provided investigative services in several major cases including the cross-burning and shotgun attack at a migrant labor camp in Whatcom County, Washington, as well as the John Salvi mass murder in Brookline, Massachusetts.

In January 1995, Public Good participated in the second national research conference on militias held by the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, and wrote a seminal report on the ties between militias, property rights groups and white supremacists. In March of that year, Public Good documented ties between Wise Use, militias and the Snohomish County, Washington Sheriff's department. Daniel Junas' article, The Rise of the Citizen Militias, published in Covert Action Quarterly--the first accurate treatment in a major publication of the militia movement--credited Public Good researcher Paul de Armond.

Public Good was also the first source quoted in world media to accurately assign responsibility for the Oklahoma City bombing to domestic terrorists. In June 1995, Public Good published The Anti-Democratic Movement in America: More than Militias, a report which outlined the historical roots of property rights and anti-government movements. This report was cited by Loretta Ross of the Center for Democratic Renewal in testimony before Rep. Charles Shumer's congressional panel investigating right-wing terrorism in the United States.

Public Good's 1995 acclaimed report Wise Use in Northern Puget Sound detailed the history of the rise of Wise Use stealth politics, and provides extensive information on the genesis of the political mainstreaming of Wise Use and its Christian-Patriot allies in the Puget Sound region. This Public Good investigation into far-right terrrorism was featured in front page stories detailing the collaboration of law enforcement with far-right militiants and white supremacists. Public Good later helped organize and promote the national anti-hate crime drive, "Not In Our Town."

Public Good investigations into the Washington State Militia--a front group for anti-government white supremacists--led to federal indictments on conspiracy, firearms and explosives charges. A Public Good investigation into the Fortuna Alliance fraud ring became the largest case ever handled by the Federal Trade Commission involving use of the internet.

In the fall of 1996, Public Good prepared a fact-finding report on the specific ties between Wise Use leader Skip Richards and militia organizing that has been credited by Richards for his loss by a landslide in his Washington State Senate race. Since then, Public Good has been involved in assisting grassroots groups and individuals across the US fighting such things as institutional corruption, criminal slumlords, and anti-immigrant vigilantes. Whistle-blowers, tenant advocates, and undocumented workers have all benefitted from our help.