The Federal Trade Commission has charged two separate office supply operations with targeting non-profit organizations and small businesses, such as child care centers, educational institutions, churches, and hospitals, and tricking them into paying for overpriced office and cleaning supplies they never ordered. Continue reading “FTC Files Federal Court Actions Against Two Office Supply Schemes That Targeted Nonprofits and Small Businesses”
Illinois Attorney General Sues Fraudulent Charitable Telemarketers Again
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced a three-count complaint against professional fundraiser (PFR) and for-profit telemarketer Safety Publications, Inc., of Elk Grove Village, Ill., and its owners, Adam Herdman and Arthur Olivera, alleging violations of the charitable Solicitation Act and prior consent decrees with Madigan’s office. The Solicitation Act sets forth the laws governing charitable solicitation and fundraising activities by PFRs in Illinois. Continue reading “Illinois Attorney General Sues Fraudulent Charitable Telemarketers Again”
Nonprofit Issues: AG May Use Tainted Evidence In ‘Redacted v. Redacted’ Case
PA Supreme Court vacates opinion limiting use of information disclosed by defendant’s attorney
Issue: January 2016
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has overruled the Commonwealth Court’s opinion in “Redacted v. Redacted” and allowed the state Attorney General to proceed against several charities and their officers using information allegedly disclosed by the charity’s attorney in violation of her obligation to preserve confidentiality. The Supreme Court has said that evidence should be admitted in the case “based on established evidentiary principles and not the broader Code of Professional Conduct.”
Continue reading “Nonprofit Issues: AG May Use Tainted Evidence In ‘Redacted v. Redacted’ Case”
New York Appellate Court Affirms Ruling Against Fraudulent Charities and Their Professional Fundraiser
The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division upheld lower court decisions against fraudulent charities and their professional fundraisers. The Court held that the State of New York may bring fraud actions against charitable fundraisers and that the multimillion dollar damages award against the defendants was proper. Copies of the decisions are posted below.
People of State of New York v. Coalition Against Breast Cancer, Inc., et al.
In the Matter of People of State of New York v Senior Citizens Assistance Group, et al.
Kansas Attorney General: Arizona business to cease collecting payments, pay penalty for deceptive practices
An Arizona company has been ordered to refund consumers who request reimbursement and pay $10,000 in penalties and fees for deceiving Kansans into purchasing household products under the guise that the company’s proceeds went to support a charitable purpose, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today. Continue reading “Kansas Attorney General: Arizona business to cease collecting payments, pay penalty for deceptive practices”