New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing the leaders of the VDARE Foundation for what she called “rampant self-dealing” and the misuse of millions in charitable donations.
The lawsuit, filed this week, accuses VDARE founder Peter Brimelow and his wife, Lydia Brimelow, of diverting at least $2 million in nonprofit funds for personal gain — including using donor money to buy a medieval-style castle in West Virginia. James is asking the court to dissolve the charity, recover damages, and permanently bar the couple from running any charity in New York.
“Charities are intended to serve the public, not to bankroll castles or pad personal fortunes,” James said. “The Brimelows used VDARE like their personal piggy bank.”
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the Brimelows bought the castle in 2020 using $1.4 million of VDARE’s funds. Though it was claimed to be for office and conference use, the couple moved in and quickly transferred the property to family-owned companies — then began charging the nonprofit rent through sham lease agreements.
Fake loans, inflated rent, and hidden deals
The lawsuit alleges a series of financial schemes:
- VDARE paid over $1.7 million to a company formed by Lydia Brimelow.
- At least $1.18 million went to a now-defunct corporation owned by the couple.
- $230,000 was paid to Lydia Brimelow’s father for “consulting.”
- A property worth over $600,000 was sold to a family business for just $168,000.
The Brimelows also pledged all of VDARE’s assets as collateral for a loan tied to Lydia’s father and inflated monthly “rent” payments from $6,000 to $33,000 within four months.
The organization — originally registered as the Lexington Research Institute — operated primarily as a platform for anti-immigration blog content on VDARE.com. Its board was made up entirely of family members and close associates, according to the lawsuit.
Obstruction and contempt of court
The Attorney General’s investigation began in 2022, but officials say the Brimelows repeatedly obstructed it by refusing subpoenas, withholding documents, and forcing the state to go to court to obtain basic records. VDARE was held in contempt twice and still owes tens of thousands in fines.
Even after publicly announcing it was shutting down in 2024, VDARE continued soliciting donations and failed to file legally required financial reports for three consecutive years.
James is seeking restitution, reversal of all unlawful transactions, and court oversight to ensure any remaining VDARE assets are redirected to legitimate charities.
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