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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Spotlight On: Richard Rowlands


Richard Rowlands describes himself as liberal. But he subscribes to several conservative groups’ email lists “just to keep track of what they’re doing and saying.”

One such group is AmeriPAC, which claims in a fundraising email that President Barack Obama is raising gas prices to pay for failed green energy companies.

Rowlands, 70, a retired psychologist who lives in Saco, Maine, forwarded the email to Spin Detectors. We found that AmeriPAC supports its conspiracy theory with misleading claims and twisted facts.

“I try writing [the groups behind the emails],” Rowlands said. “But I get completely and totally ignored.”

– Ben Finley

Our “Spotlight” feature is designed to give credit to those who help us hold politicians and political groups accountable. So, watch this spot. If you send us campaign materials that contain false or misleading information and we write about them, then we may write about you — with your permission, of course.

Click here for more information on how to be a Spin Detector. Thanks. And good luck!