Straw Man

Dictionary Definition

n.

1. a person to whom title to property or a business interest is transferred for the sole purpose of concealing the true owner and/or the business machinations of the parties. Thus, the straw man has no real interest or participation but is merely a passive stand-in for a real participant who secretly controls activities. Sometimes a straw man is involved when the actual owner is not permitted to act, such as a person with a criminal record holding a liquor license.
2. an argument which is intended to distract the other side from the real issues or waste the opponent’s time and effort; sometimes called a “red herring” (for the belief that drawing a fish across a trail will mislead hunting dogs).