Ore. sues nonprofits over use of veteran funds

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Attorney General John Kroger says some nonprofits that claim to be raising money for veterans are instead keeping the money for themselves.

Kroger says the state has sued three of these nonprofits, alleging they keep up to 80 percent of the money raised.

Kroger says the state has already reached settlements with two other organizations — Center Stage Attractions and The Veterans Fund.

Center Stage, a professional fundraising firm based in Florida, operated a call center in Salem for its client, The Veterans Fund.

Center Stage was accused of making false statements to potential donors, including falsely claiming how donations would benefit veterans.

Kroger says the Veterans Fund allowed Center Stage to keep 80 percent of the money raised in its name and did little to monitor Center Stage’s conduct.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com