Friday, July 11, 2008

Settlement Reached With Group Soliciting Donations

Settlement Reached With Group Soliciting Donations
Last updated Friday, July 11, 2008 6:40 PM CDT in News
By The Morning News
Email this story Print this story Comment on this story LITTLE ROCK - American Veterans Coalition has been banned from soliciting donations in the state for the next five years and must pay the state $34,000 under a settlement agreement announced Friday by Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.

The money will be redirected to organizations in Arkansas that provide assistance to Arkansas veterans, the attorney general's office said.

McDaniel sued the Washington-based group last year in Pulaski County Circuit Court, alleging that less than 1 percent of the donations they solicited actually went to veterans or to support causes supported by veterans. The lawsuit also alleged none of the funds raised by the organization went to veterans or veterans' causes in Arkansas.

The $33,749 settlement represents the amount donated by Arkansas residents, McDaniel's office said.

After five years, the coalition will be allowed to solicit donation in Arkansas, as long as 60 percent of the funds it raises goes directly to helping veterans. The consent agreement limits to 40 percent the amount of donations that can be used for fundraising costs or management salaries.

A telephone message left at the coalition's Gig Harbor, Wash., office Friday afternoon was not immediately returned.

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