A Youngstown, Ohio, firm said it was collecting for charity when only 10 to 33 percent of proceeds went to charity, a news release says
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane Pennsylvania’s attorney general sued an Ohio firm today for lying to solicit donations for firefighter organizations, according to a news release.
Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane found that Youngstown-based Encore Music Productions Ltd., and the fraternal organizations on whose behalf it solicited charitable donations have lied to potential donors since 2006, according to the release.
The release says Encore and its agents, Phil's Productions LLC and MVP Productions:
Lied to donors by saying 100 percent of donations went to a local charity, when only 10 to 33 percent went to charity.
Trained telemarketers to falsely identify themselves as volunteers or firefighters.
Failed to identify themselves as professional solicitors.
Hired more than 13 recent felons as telemarketers in violation of Pennsylvania law.
Failed to properly register with the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.
Since 2006, Encore solicited donations for four organizations in Pennsylvania and more than 30 organizations in Ohio by selling tickets and business advertisements for local concerts, the release says.
Suspicious charitable activity can be reported to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office by calling the Charitable Trusts and Organizations Section at 717-783-2853 or visiting attorneygeneral.gov.