Category: Federal/State Actions

Haueter family operated four sham charities, keeping more than $1M from Washington donors for themselves

SEATTLE — A King County Superior Court judge today ruled that the Haueter family used their four charities as an elaborate, deceptive scheme to solicit donations from Washingtonians for seemingly worthy causes, while pocketing much of the money for themselves. Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit in December 2017 asserting that the Haueters’ charities were a sham that the family used to enrich themselves by more than $1 million.

“Instead of helping cancer patients and vulnerable children, this family took advantage of the generosity of Washingtonians,” said Ferguson. “That is wrong – and illegal.” Continue reading “WASHINGTON – Court rules Washington family broke law by using charities to deceive donors”

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against the Holiday Treasure Chest Charity Foundation and its founder, Mark Bergeson, accusing him of using the charity for his own personal gain.

In addition to civil penalties and cost and fees, Ferguson’s lawsuit asks the court to dissolve the organization and bar Bergeson, also known as Mark Jensen, from operating any nonprofit or charitable organization in the future.

Continue reading “WASHINGTON – AG Ferguson Files Lawsuit Against Holiday Treasure Chest, Founder”

Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood released the following statement in response to a decision by New York Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla, which denied a motion to dismiss Attorney General Underwood’s lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, and its directors, Donald J. Trump, Donald J. Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump:

“As we detailed in our petition earlier this year, the Trump Foundation functioned as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump’s business and political interests. There are rules that govern private foundations — and we intend to enforce them, no matter who runs the foundation. We welcome Justice Scarpulla’s decision, which allows our suit to move forward.” 

For more information click here.

TACOMA — Today, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Nelson granted Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s motion for a preliminary injunction against Spanaway-based Fallen Hero Bracelets, the Benjamin Foundation and other organizations run by Michael Friedmann. The injunction forces the organizations to cease operations until they register with the Secretary of State and provide financial reports for each year of their existence.

Continue reading “WASHINGTON- Pierce County Judge Grants Injunction Against Fallen Hero Bracelets”

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

SAN DIEGO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced today a jury verdict in favor of the State against individuals who fraudulently solicited charitable donations under the pretext of assisting wounded veterans and their families and instead illegally enriched themselves with the donated funds. In April 2017, Attorney General Becerra filed a lawsuit alleging that the operators committed fraud against California donors.  Following trial, the jury awarded nearly $8.8 million to the state against defendants Matthew G. Gregory and spouse Danella J. Gregory, their adult children Matthew J. Gregory and Gina D. Gregory, and their business Gregory Motorsports.  Continue reading “California Attorney General Becerra Recovers Nearly $8.8 Million Against Corrupt Operators of Sham Charity for Wounded Veterans”