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Updated Oct. 11, 2:30 p.m. | Posted Oct. 10, 4 p.m.


Attorney General Lori Swanson is urging Minnesotans to check out charities before giving them money.


Swanson issued the warning Wednesday as she announced a lawsuit in Ramsey County Court against the Florida-based American Federation of Police & Concerned Citizens. That group has collected over $425,000 from more than 10,000 Minnesotans in recent years.


The operation claimed that donations would primarily help families of officers killed in the line of duty.  But Swanson said less than a tenth of donations went to provide such aid.

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"Probably the number one misperception I get from the public is they think there's a law saying, 70 percent must go to the mission or 80 percent must go to the mission," she said. "There is no law like that. So, it really is buyer beware and up to the consumer to figure out where the money's going."


Swanson charges that the Florida group misrepresented itself and filed inaccurate financial reports. She wants it to stop soliciting contributions in the state and provide refunds to donors.


The attorney general's office went after the American Federation of Police & Concerned Citizens (AFPCC) in the '90s for overstating the support it gave to families of fallen officers and misleading donors about how its fundraising would benefit local communities.


In a 1996 Consent Decree, the AFPCC was ordered not to misrepresent that its charitable program.  The organization was also ordered not to place the name of any town, city or community near the phrase "fundraising goal." Swanson contends that AFPCC violated these terms.


The federation says it has been cooperating with Swanson but had not heard from her for months before this week's lawsuit. The charity said it has not had the opportunity to fully review Swanson's lawsuit but intends to vigorously defend itself against her "inflammatory and misleading allegations."

 over the years for purported shady practices during her time in office.

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Martin Moylan

Author

A Florida charity is being sued by Minnesota's Attorney General who alleged they were ripping off donors in the state and warning consumers to check out organizations soliciting contributions before handing over any money.

State Attorney General Lori Swanson listens to a question.

Attorney General Swanson sues another charity for ripping off donors

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