Memorandum Describes Plan to “Threaten Its Survival”
Controversy has swirled around Ed Martin since he was fired as president of Eagle Forum in April, 2016. A newly discovered document now reveals that Ed Martin, while being paid by Eagle Forum, sought legal advice six months ago on how to destroy the organization he purported to lead.
Attached is the first page of a memorandum found in the files of the law firm hired by Ed Martin to represent Eagle Forum. The memorandum reveals a covert plan by Ed Martin to attack Eagle Forum, using intellectual property law as a “sword” to “cause business interruption of [Eagle Forum] that would threaten its survival.”
“The discovery of this memo is stunning,” said Eunie Smith, Acting President of Eagle Forum. “At the very time Ed Martin was holding himself out as President of Eagle Forum and still receiving a paycheck from Eagle Forum, he was pursuing legal methods to destroy it. Martin’s repugnant conduct has led to a dark chapter in Eagle Forum’s illustrious history.”
Eagle Forum was founded by Phyllis Schlafly and a committed group of conservative friends in 1975. Phyllis Schlafly passed away at age 92 on September 5, 2016; she was President of Eagle Forum for 40 years. Eagle Forum’s Board of Directors, all hand-picked by Mrs. Schlafly, voted to remove Ed Martin as the organization’s president in April, 2016.
This shocking memorandum was prepared in June, 2016 by a law firm that currently represents “Phyllis Schlafly’s American Eagles”—a new organization formed by Ed Martin in May, 2016 for the sole purpose of competing with and ultimately replacing Eagle Forum. (The press release discussing the lawsuit filed by directors of Eagle Forum against Phyllis Schlafly’s American Eagles can be found here). Ed Martin continues to misrepresent his position with Eagle Forum in an attempt to confuse grassroots advocates who have served this organization for decades. Martin was suspended from Eagle Forum by a court order in October 2016.
“We now know that Ed Martin has been conspiring to eradicate this historic and effective nationwide grassroots conservative movement,” Smith said. “Eagle Forum is committed to continue fighting for conservative family values and the preservation of the US Constitution.”