Justice Department slaps Biden bundler Kempner for improper $2 million PPP loan

A politically active public relations and lobbying firm owned by a significant bundler to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign entered into a settlement with the Justice Department after allegedly receiving a $2 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan they were not entitled to.

The firm, MWW Group, LLC, also known as MikeWorldWide, is run by Michael Kempner, a prominent Democratic fundraiser in New Jersey for more than two decades and a former Democratic National Committee deputy finance chairman.

MWW was ineligible for a PPP loan because they had registered as a foreign agent for the government of Israel.  The U.S. Attorney’s office said MWW had sought and received forgiveness of the loan.   Now the firm will pay back $2.29 million, plus interest.

A whistleblower, Aidan Forsyth, will receive $229,000 from the recovered monies.

Kempner bundled $1,750,978 in campaign contributions to Biden, according to the website Open Secrets, which tracks campaign contributions.   He personally contributed $73,2000 to various Biden campaign committees in 2020.

In 2011, Kempner hosted a $10,000-per-person fundraiser for Biden at his home in Cresskill.   At a 2010 fundraiser at Kempner’s home, Obama said Kempner was “an incredible friend.” A few months later, Obama named Kempner to the White House Council for Community Solutions.

He bundled $1,623,658 to Hillary Clinton’s campaign and $880,547 to Barack Obama.  According to the Federal Election Commission, Kempner has donated over $419,000 to Democratic candidates since 1985.

New Jersey Democratic fundraisers known as “The Group” that began helping John Kerry in 2004 included Kempner and the current U.S. Attorney, Philip Sellinger.  Sellinger appears to have recused himself from his office’s

The U.S. Attorney’s office said MWW cooperated with the Justice Department’s probe.

“This is a civil matter solely. MWW has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the use or purpose of the funds. It’s important to note that no fines were assessed,” said Steve Sandberg, a spokesman for MWW.  “The potential error was due to the unintentional action of the company’s former CFO who was not aware that a minor FARA filing in 2021 could make the company ineligible for the second loan.”

Editor’s note: an earlier version of this story stated that MWW lobbied for Israel.  They registered as a foreign agent as a result of their role in a public relations campaign on behalf of the government of Israel.