FW: Apparent Membership Data Breach

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 8:24:32 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>
Subject: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Aloha, Esteemed Members of the LNC, 

Sadly, it is my duty to inform you all there has been an apparent data breach. John Ponty, of Liberty Sentries and the covert LP-Antifa-Alliance-Caucus, has published an article which makes questionable claims about members based on data obtained from an anonymous insider.

"A source whom wished to remain anonymous provided us data that included entries for contact information, membership information, and contribution information held by the National Committee".

Source: https://medium.com/the-liberty-sentries/exclusive-hundred-of-lp-members-never-signed-pledge-f37019c5c403 

The article cites extensive confidential member data exposure through an inside leaker, and sadly, it appears the motive and use of this leaked data is for a political agenda to interfere with the upcoming convention and possibly even the current composition of the LNC. 

I am making this public for the good of the Party and the membership, since factual and circumstantial evidence strongly indicate that multiple executives are directly involved in this scheme involving member data. 

Mahalo for your prompt kokua to this important matter. 

Austin Martin

R1

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 9:55:09 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Mr. Nekhaila,

I will address your claims in order.

You assert that my conduct and Mr. Martin's cost the party pro bono legal services from Mr. Hall, and that this is the root cause of the delays in trademark enforcement. I would encourage anyone following this thread to watch the following recording before accepting that characterization:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de1M_I8Goog

In this recording, SIC member Bill Redpath admits that he was paid by Team Kennedy for ballot access work in New Mexico — work made possible by the LNC covering his travel expenses — without having disclosed this financial arrangement to the LNC. This is a conflict of interest materially identical in nature to the disclosure violation the SIC cited against its subject. Mr. Hall, the very counsel whose loss you lament, acknowledges the conflict on the call. Mr. Redpath himself concedes he should have disclosed it.

To be specific: the SIC cited a violation of the provision requiring each LNC member to disclose situations in which their own economic interests or duties to others might conflict with the interests of the party. Mr. Redpath's undisclosed payments from Team Kennedy — earned while traveling on the LNC's dime — are not merely comparable to that charge. They are, if anything, more severe, as the LNC's own expenditures directly subsidized the arrangement from which he personally profited. He sat on the committee that brought these charges while carrying an undisclosed conflict of the very same nature. Mr. Hall was aware of this and took no action.

No corrective action was ever taken. The SIC report was never amended. And subsequent legal actions by this board have been built upon that report's findings — findings rendered fundamentally unreliable by an undisclosed material conflict of interest within the investigating body itself, acknowledged by the LNC's own counsel.

So when you tell this body and the public that my conduct cost the party $25,000 in free representation, I would ask: what exactly was that representation protecting? Because from where I stand, it was not protecting the integrity of the process or the interests of the Libertarian Party. 

Now, to the matter at hand — because your reply, like Mr. McMahon's, fails to address it.

The LNC voted 13–0 to direct you to bring a proposal before the Executive Committee within one week to initiate trademark litigation in New Mexico. You did not do so. You recharacterized that directive as authorization to form a committee. Four months later, there is no retainer agreement, no draft complaint, and no proposal before the Excomm. The motion that passed did not "enable the Chair to make a proposal on how to fix mistakes" — it directed you to bring a specific proposal for a specific action within a specific timeframe. The record speaks for itself, and I am confident that my colleagues on the LNC can read it.

You state that I am "not in a managerial or decision making role." I am a member of the LNC — the body that issued the unanimous directive you have failed to execute. Every member of this body has standing to demand accountability for the execution of its directives. That is not management — it is oversight, and it is my duty.

You state that this will be your last communication with me on this topic. A Chair who refuses to communicate with a board member regarding the execution of a unanimous directive of the body is not demonstrating leadership — he is demonstrating precisely the obstruction I have described.

Mr. Watkins is right. The members of this body and this party should not have to beg for basic updates on matters of this significance. That this is where we find ourselves speaks volumes.

I intend to bring this matter before the full LNC, and I further intend to pursue every avenue of accountability available to me under our bylaws — for the failure to execute the LNC's directive, for the conduct of the SIC process, and for the pattern of obstruction that has brought us to this point.

Respectfully, 

Andrew Chadderdon

Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 3:24:32 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 10:30:02 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Aloha! 

In hindsight, perhaps I should have named this thread: "Whistleblower Policy Protected Disclosures". 

Austin

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 11:55:09 AM

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 11:02:16 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Mr. Martin,

I too am outraged. I believe that, given the exacting nature of the details - incorectly - reported by Liberty Sentries, that someone with access to the LP CRM shared data outside the party.

I have a couple of points I would like to make before I share the email exchange between myself and Mr. Ponty:

When I became LNC Secretary I was told by staff that all current members of the LNC were sustaining members (that would mean pledge signed and donated at least $25 in the last 12 months). I was informed that Mrs. Harlos was informed of the same.

I have previously only accessed the LP CRM once prior to this morning when I was informed of the article. I logged in once before so that staff could confirm that I was capable of logging in. I was on the phone today with Chair Nekhaila while logging in to look in to this records breach - my second time in the CRM.

While logged in I was able to confirm your prior contributions and I believe that the Feb 2025 contribution was made through a membership page which should have automatically triggered a "pledge signed" status. But I believe you had every reason to assume the same.  I do not know enough about our CRM to say why this didn't happen for your record.

But given the assurances to both myself and the previous Secretary from staff that you, and the other members of the LNC, were sustaining members and with the path of your contribution... I believe you have been continued to be a sustaining pledge signed member.

As I said before, I believe that the information that was given to Mr. Ponty was confidential information and was a violation of the NDA that all persons are to submit before being given access to any sensitive or confidential information. 

This is not an issue that can wait until Tuesday. The Chair needs to call an all hands meeting with staff to track down the source of the breach with appropriate and swift action taken.

Email Exchange from Wednesday -

02/11/2026 5:37pm

With Darr and Nekhaila CCed by Ponty

Hello Mr. McMahon,

I would like to request copies of the membership pledges signed by the current members of the Libertarian National Committee, including alternates. I would be utilizing those copies as part of research connected with members of the Committee. Please let me know if it is possible to receive this information, as well as whether there are any pledges that are missing from the records you have access to.

Thank you for your time,

John Ponty, Liberty Sentries

02/11/2026 5:55pm

With CCed preserved

Hello Mr. Ponty,

I can confirm that all members of the LNC, including Region Alternates, are marked as "Pledge Signed" in our database.

The LNC has not used wet signature pledges in nearly 20 years. The pledge indication has been a check box on the printed donation form and the online donation form - with the default of unchecked. Meaning the person must indicate at the time of their contribution that they are signing the pledge.

 Membership records are not public and will not be shared - other than confirmation of eligibility and to state affiliates.

If there is something specific you would like me to confirm, I would be happy to do so if permitted.

In Liberty,

Evan 

(note not in email: This was based off statements from staff)

02/11/2026 6:01pm

With CCed preserved

Hello Mr. McMahon,

Would you be able to provide the date for when each member of the LNC, including Region Alternates, first signed the pledge?

Thank you again for your time,

John Ponty, Liberty Sentries

02/11/2026 6:33pm

With CCed preserved I added Hannah Kennedy as a BCC

I don't think there is a way for me to differentiate between when a membership started and when the pledge was signed/indicated.

I will check with staff to see if there is a way for me to see when a pledge was signed.

Evan McMahon

02/12/2026 10:02am

Sent  by Kennedy with CCed preserved 

Hey Evan, 

Checking with staff,  you are correct we do not have a way to identify a pledge signed date separate from a qualifying donation. 

(Note not in email: my understanding was that donations made prior to Zoho or already established recurring donations would have Pledge Signed tags but not the original date - only new memberships captured in Zoho would have that date - I verified it for myself and confirm that is correct)

In Liberty,

Evan

Evan McMahon Secretary Libertarian National Committee evan.m...@lp.org ‪(317) 455-6986 lp.org

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 3:24 PM

To: LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>
Subject: Apparent Membership Data Breach

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 11:07:47 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Aloha, Mr. Secretary! 

Mahalo nui loa for the transparency, I appreciate you sharing these details with us, and agree that this is an urgent problem that requires immediate attention. 

Austin Martin

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 1:02:19 PM

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From: Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:25:14 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

If someone seriously wants to know the exact date I signed the membership pledge, well I joined the LP online on June 28, 2001.  

Greg Hertzsch

LNC Region 3 North Alternate

greg.h...@lp.org

(502)939-4731

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 6:07:47 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:56:59 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Mr. Hertzch, 

Are you saying you don't have any concerns about a breach of our membership data? To date, I am not aware of any concerns previously raised about membership numbers, which is alarming. Circumstances strongly suggest data tampering and alteration is possible. 

You think that's no big deal?

If you want to make light of exposing our entire membership's confidential personal information and betraying the trust they show to us, then perhaps you should carefully reconsider whether you belong on the LNC.    

Sincerely, 

Austin Martin

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 2:25:14 PM

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From: Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:00:21 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Mr. Martin,

Don't hurt your back carrying all the words you're trying to put into Mr. Hertzch's mouth.

Samuel Bohler At-Large, Libertarian National Committee ‪samuel...@lp.org

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 6:56 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:01:43 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Same to you, Fed-boi. 

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 3:00:21 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:05:07 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

My apologies. I could have delivered a much sharper criticism with much more tact. 

It's just hard to ignore your pattern of using of prosecutorial skills to frame and defame the innocent.

I will strive to do better in the future. 

Regardless, my point is that a total breach and possible alteration of our membership data is extremely serious, and our job is to take that seriously. 

I don't appreciate the lack of fiduciary concern from some members. 

Austin Martin 

R1

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 3:01:43 PM

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 2:23:19 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Dear colleagues,

I have spoken to some of the other officers, as well as staff, and made the decision to cease access to all non-staff accounts into the CRM while we investigate who provided access to a non-authorized third party.

We take this extremely seriously and will be working with staff to determine who gave access or provided information and work-in additional safeguards. Either I, or staff, will keep the board up to date as we progress.

As far as whether records were altered, I don't believe this to be the case at this time, as I assume it was only read only access, but I will get with staff on the specifics. 

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

Chairman, LNC

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 8:05:07 PM

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From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 2:52:10 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Can we expect any similar explanation and accountability for the major conflict of interest and subsequent cover up that was just presented to the board? 

Andrew Chadderdon

Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 9:23:19 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 9:01:06 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Mr. Chair,

It has come to our attention that you have held (and are attempting to hold) calls and meetings about the data breach and exfiltration event — in secret from the other directors.

I must unfortunately remind you that you lack authority from precluding directors from exercising their duties. The directors are requesting to participate and exercise our duty of oversight; this qualifies as an emergency circumstance.

For context, on another thread, you said, in relevant part:  

"Mr. Martin,

You do not dictate my schedule and what I am or am not to do. You are a regional alternate..." 

"Mr. Chadderdon can call a board meeting if you and him wish to participate. 

Have a better weekend.

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

Chairman, LNC"

Frankly, sir, you stood to politically benefit from this breach, and worse, you and your like-minded cohorts appear to have begun executing plans to make use of this breach even before it was known to the LNC. These circumstances make the secrecy even more inappropriate.

Please forward the meeting information to the entire LNC so directors can observe and participate.

Do better, Mr. Chair.

Mahalo for your prompt kokua to this important matter.

Austin Martin 

R1

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 4:52:10 PM

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From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 12:51:04 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Mr. Nekheila,

I demand that you provide the relevant information for any director who wishes to be able to join the meeting.

Andrew Chadderdon

Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:01:06 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 8:28:20 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Greg Hertzsch <greg.h...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; LNC Board <lncb...@lp.org>; lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>; oliverbhall <olive...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Apparent Membership Data Breach

Mr. Chair, 

I am being led to understand that you cancelled the initial meeting today to discuss the data breach, and perhaps even more troubling, that you do not intend to hold any meetings at which directors can get on the same page about these emergent circumstances. 

Is this true? 

Austin Martin

R1

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 2:51:04 AM