Hillary Clinton on Thursday night took offense at suggestions that she had anything to do with a political organization backing her presidential bid and raking in millions from financial industry titans. Questioned by PBS debate moderators about the money pouring into the group, the former secretary of state said: “You're referring to a super PAC that we don't coordinate with.” Later, Clinton said, “It's not my PAC.”

Last year the New York Times reported that Clinton would “begin personally courting donors for a ‘super PAC’ supporting her candidacy, the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has fully embraced these independent groups that can accept unlimited checks from big donors and are already playing a major role in the 2016 race.” In November, the Times reported that former President Bill Clinton would be a "special guest" at a donor meeting for the group, called “Priorities USA Action.” The super PAC — which is run by Guy Cecil, a former top staffer in Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign — has raised more than $40 million to support her in 2016.

Under federal campaign finance laws, Clinton technically cannot coordinate with super PACs, like Priorities USA, which aren’t subject to contribution limits. But another super PAC called “Correct the Record” has asserted it’s permitted to coordinate with her campaign because its work is only online — and it’s received $1 million from Priorities USA. Clinton has also donated to Correct the Record. Campaign finance reports show her campaign has given over $280,000 worth of “research” to the super PAC.

In her concession speech after her Tuesday loss in New Hampshire, Clinton pledged to support strong campaign finance reforms. Hours later, the Associated Press reported that Clinton’s allies were setting up a so-called dark money group “aimed at expanding voter protection efforts and driving turnout and registration among Latino and black voters.” AP additionally reported that Cecil, of Priorities USA, will advise the group — which “will operate as a nonprofit ‘social welfare’ organization, allowing it to take unlimited donations and keep its donors' identities private.”
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