A US Farmer Was Accused of Abusing His Workers. Then Big Tobacco Backed His Election.

Reynolds American, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, claims to support its supply chain workers’ right to unionize, but follow its dirty money and a different story becomes clear. An exposé from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism shows how the cigarette maker has made large campaign donations to North Carolina farmer and state senator, Brent Jackson—even though Jackson has faced allegations of missed wages, inhumane living conditions and lack of medical care for farmworkers, and union busting since at least 1998. Jackson in turn has used his political platform to promote anti-union legislation.