Veterans Of America Foundation ordered to cease fundraising

LANSING, MI--Attorney General Bill Schuette and Mr. Jason Allen, senior deputy director for the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs today announced that the Attorney General's Charitable Trust Section has issued a formal 'cease and desist' letter ordering the Veterans of America VOA Foundation, also known as the Michigan Veterans of America VOA Foundation, to stop fundraising in Michigan. Schuette also has denied the organization's solicitation registration. The order comes as the result of the normal registration process for soliciting charities. Veterans of America was incorporated November 14, 2011. On November 22, 2011, the newly incorporated Veterans of America VOA Foundation filed its initial solicitation registration form with the Schuette's Charitable Trust Section. Charities may fundraise while their registration is under review. But during the review, Schuette's office received citizen complaints alleging that Veterans of America had attempted to deceive them during fundraising calls. ''The basic rule for charitable fundraising in Michigan is simple--be honest,'' said Schuette. ''Deceptive fundraising tactics will not be tolerated.'' Veterans and current servicemembers are appreciative of donations given to support them. However, it is important for individuals to do the research to ensure their contributions are going to good, legitimate causes,'' said Allen. The Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act, MCL 400.271 et seq., authorizes the Attorney General to deny registration to organizations that have acted or are acting in violation of the Solicitations Act. In addition to denying Veterans of America's registration, Schuette could bring civil or criminal actions for past or continuing violations of the Solicitations Act. Though legal penalties are sometimes appropriate, Schuette also urges donors to be cautious --especially when solicited by phone. It's best to research charities before giving. Schuette noted that sometimes similar names can be confusing. The words ''Veteran'' or ''Veterans'' appear in the corporate or assumed names of 43 different charities registered with the Attorney General's office to solicit donations in Michigan. To assist Michigan consumers, Schuette recently established an online searchable database for charities, accessible at www.michigan.gov/agcharitysearch. Through this database, donors now can see how much of their donation actually reaches its charitable purpose. Michigan citizens are encouraged to report any future solicitations by the Veterans of America VOA Foundation in violation of the cease and desist to the Attorney General's Charitable Trust Section by calling (517) 373-1152 or emailing complaints to ct_email@ michigan. gov. Complaints may also be mailed to: Charitable Trust Section, P.O. Box 30214, Lansing, MI 48909. Donors can also help Attorney General Schuette to combat this type of fraud by reporting any concerns about charities and professional fundraisers to the Charitable Trust Section. Copyright © 2012 State of Michigan Published: Thu, May 31, 2012

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