Coakley Sues Veterans' Charity After I-Team Investigation
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — One day after an I-Team investigation questioned practices at a Rhode Island-based veterans' charity, the Massachusetts attorney general's office has announced it filed suit against the organization, alleging it uses deceptive fundraising tactics and illegally solicits donations in Massachusetts.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday after month-long investigation, names Veterans Community Foundation Inc., its chief executive, and two branch managers as defendants.
Attorney General Martha Coakley says in the suit files in Suffolk Superior Court that the Lincoln, R.I.-based charity violated state charitable solicitation laws by asking for donations outside stores without proper certification from her office. The suit also alleges the charity overstates how much money it collects goes to help veterans.
A message seeking comment was left at Veterans Community Foundation. The charity says on its website that it raises money to help veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with behavioral counseling, job placement, education and life skills.
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