Forwarded message - for info, please visit
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj-charitysued0802aug02,
0,3552936.story

NJ - State sues animal charity for alleged donation mishandling

August 2, 2006, 4:48 PM EDT
Newsday.com

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ The state has sued a Bergen County animal
charity, accusing it of mishandling donations and misleading
consumers.

The state alleged the Lovers of Animals Organization of Ridgefield
made false statements and failed to include a required statement on
fundraising canisters, did not keep complete and accurate records,
did not properly complete a fundraising contract and did not comply
with the attorney general's office investigation.

The state is collecting and impounding the charity's canisters and
their proceeds. It alleged money collected from the store canisters
was used on gasoline, tolls, motor vehicle repairs and office
supplies.

"Unfortunately disreputable organizations make every well-intentioned
consumer second guess their decision to contribute to a charitable
cause," said Kim Ricketts, state consumer affairs director.

The charity had no telephone listing and couldn't be reached for
comment.

Assemblyman Neil Cohen, D-Union, cited the case as another reason to
tightly regulate charity canisters placed next to cash registers in
stores around New Jersey. Cohen recently proposed legislation to
tighten laws on such canisters.

"Nobody knows who comes in and collects the money," Cohen
said. "Nobody knows how much money is collected."

This is the second time in recent months the state targeted an animal
charity that uses canisters. In June, a judge ruled that Patrick G.
Jemas and his organization, the National Animal Welfare Foundation,
misled the public about how their donations would be used.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj-charitysued0802aug02,
0,3552936.story

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Aug. 3, 2006