Latest News – Page 43 – National Association of State Charity Officials

August 7, 2018

Washington – AG Ferguson files lawsuit against nonprofit founder with ties to organized crime

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today filed a lawsuit to shut down six fake nonprofit entities posing as well-known, international organizations created by Ian Richard Hosang, a former stockbroker who has ties to the mafia. The lawsuit alleges that Hosang could be using the nonprofits to cover up illegal activity.

Hosang created six nonprofit entities in Washington: American Cancer Society of Seattle, American Cancer Society of Washington, American Red Cross of Seattle, American Red Cross of Washington, United Way of Seattle and United Way of Washington. None of these nonprofits are related to the legitimate, charitable organizations with the same or similar names.

See full press release here.

August 1, 2018August 13, 2018

BBB Wise Giving Alliance – Wise Giving Wednesday: Donate With Honor – Charity Misled Donors in Appeals for Phone Cards for Troops

In the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s continuing Wise Giving Wednesday series about the “Donate With Honor” press conference held at the Washington DC office of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) along with state Attorneys General and state charity regulators, we take a closer look at one of the referenced veterans charities that was misleading donors: Healing American Heroes. Continue reading “BBB Wise Giving Alliance – Wise Giving Wednesday: Donate With Honor – Charity Misled Donors in Appeals for Phone Cards for Troops”

July 25, 2018August 13, 2018

BBB Wise Giving Alliance – Wise Giving Wednesday: Donate With Honor – Shutdown of Illinois Veterans Charity

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Wise Giving Wednesday last week featured the “Donate With Honor” press conference held at the Washington DC office of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) along with state Attorneys General and state charity regulators. Among other things, the conference sought to educate donors by helping them avoid misleading charity appeals and find trustworthy charities. This week, we’ll take a closer look at one of the featured cases: VietNow National Headquarters. This Illinois-based veterans charity was forced to stop operations after a November 2017 action collectively taken by 24 states led by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Continue reading “BBB Wise Giving Alliance – Wise Giving Wednesday: Donate With Honor – Shutdown of Illinois Veterans Charity”

July 19, 2018July 20, 2018

FTC and States Announce National Initiative to Combat Fraudulent Charities That Falsely Claim to Help Veterans and Servicemembers

ANNOUNCING OPERATION DONATE WITH HONOR:

The Federal Trade Commission, along with NASCO and law enforcement officials and charity regulators from 70 offices in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico, announced more than 100 actions and a consumer education initiative in “Operation Donate with Honor,” a crackdown on fraudulent charities that con consumers by falsely promising their donations will help veterans and servicemembers. Continue reading “FTC and States Announce National Initiative to Combat Fraudulent Charities That Falsely Claim to Help Veterans and Servicemembers”