Rogue archivist and other in$ider$ at Public.Resource.Org earn ea$y ca$h

Thanks to Canadian science fiction author and blogger Cory Doctorow of Boing Boing, I learned all about “10 Rules for Radicals” by rogue archivist Carl Malamud. Apparently, it’s “a must-read for anyone interested in the history or future of universal access, open networks and free societies.” I can’t speak to that, but I did take the time to browse the financial paperwork (IRS Tax Form 990s and audited financial statements) of Public.Resource.Org, Inc., (PRO) a California nonprofit public benefit corporation founded in 2007 by Mr. Malamud to “create, architect, design, implement, operate and maintain public works projects on the Internet.” Here are some of the more interesting bits:

• Carl Malamud, president and CEO of Public.Resource.Org, earned $144,000 in compensation for 2007; $147,962 in compensation for 2008; and $149,928 in compensation for 2009.

• In 2007, Public.Resource.Org signed a related-party agreement for “services and office space” with Dover Beach Consulting, which is owned by Board of Directors member Marshall T. Rose. In 2007, PRO paid $21,000 for these services. In 2008, PRO paid $17,500 for these services.

• In 2007, Public.Resource.Org signed a related-party agreement for design services with Point B Studio, which is owned by Rebecca Hargrave Malamud, the ex-wife of president and CEO Carl Malamud. In 2007, PRO paid $16,833 for these services. In 2008, PRO paid $23,400 for these services. In 2009, PRO paid $14,000 for these services.

• In 2007, Public.Resource.Org signed a related-party lease for office space and data communication access with O’Reilly Media, which is owned by an unnamed member of the Board of Directors. In 2007, PRO paid $4,726 for office space. In 2008, PRO paid $6,808 in rent for use of the space. In 2009, PRO paid $7,080 in rent for use of the space.

• In 2008, President and CEO Carl Malamud sold to Public.Resource.Org computer and video equipment appraised at $34,100 for $14,000. The balance of $20,100 was recorded as an in-kind contribution. Malamud also donated a domain name for exclusive use by PRO, appraised at $12,400. This, too, was recorded as an in-kind contribution.

No word on whether Public.Resource.Org intends to change its name to Self.Dealing.Org.