Ohio seeks restraining orders against 'veterans' group
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Ohio seeks restraining orders against sham 'veterans' group
Attorney General concerned about 'charity' group's ties to shady practices
Despite the altruistic-sounding name "U.S. Navy Veterans Association," the group is apparently up to no good, according to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.
“The closer we look at this organization, the more outrageous its conduct appears," Cordray said. "Since 2003, Ohioans have contributed close to $1.9 million to the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. However, the evidence is mounting that the operation is misrepresenting its mission. It is trading on the good name of our armed forces and patriotic Americans to solicit funds that it says will be used to assist veterans directly. Instead, we have reason to ask whether some of the funds are actually going to political candidates."
After applications for a temporary restraining order were filed to prevent the "veterans" charity from collecting contributions from Ohioans, reporter Hagit Limor of WCPO-TV in Cincinnati tried to visit the group's Ohio headquarters... and ended up finding only a UPS box.
“Spread the word. Tell your friends and family. We want all Ohioans to know not to contribute to the U.S. Navy Veterans Association,” said Cordray.
Despite the altruistic-sounding name "U.S. Navy Veterans Association," the group is apparently up to questionable practices, according to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.
“The closer we look at this organization, the more outrageous its conduct appears," Cordray said. "Since 2003, Ohioans have contributed close to $1.9 million to the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. However, the evidence is mounting that the operation is misrepresenting its mission. It is trading on the good name of our armed forces and patriotic Americans to solicit funds that it says will be used to assist veterans directly. Instead, we have reason to ask whether some of the funds are actually going to political candidates."
After applications for a temporary restraining order were filed to prevent the "veterans" charity from collecting contributions from Ohioans, reporter Hagit Limor of WCPO-TV in Cincinnati tried to visit the group's Ohio headquarters... and ended up finding only a UPS box.
“Spread the word. Tell your friends and family. We want all Ohioans to know not to contribute to the U.S. Navy Veterans Association,” said Cordray.
On May 28, Cordray ordered the USNVA to stop contacting Ohio residents for contributions after determining that the group’s registration documents were plagued with irregularities. Those documents contain false and misleading information, including the names of association officers who appear to be fictional.
“Our investigators have not been able to locate any of the Ohio officers of the USNVA, although, oddly enough, the organization’s national counsel is based here,” Cordray said. “Through the counsel, USNVA has advised us that it does not consider the order to be valid and that it does not have to comply with our order to cease and desist fundraising in Ohio."
[[In-content Ad]]On May 28, Cordray ordered the USNVA to stop contacting Ohio residents for contributions after determining that the group’s registration documents were plagued with irregularities. Those documents contain false and misleading information, including the names of association officers who appear to be fictional.
“Our investigators have not been able to locate any of the Ohio officers of the USNVA, although, oddly enough, the organization’s national counsel is based here,” Cordray said. “Through the counsel, USNVA has advised us that it does not consider the order to be valid and that it does not have to comply with our order to cease and desist fundraising in Ohio."