Government & Regulation

Texas Attorney General Shuts Down Veterans Charity
November 20, 2015 at 10:24 am

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has closed down the Veterans Support Organization (VSO) as a settlement from legal action. According to a news release from Paxton's office, VSO collected more than $2.5 million in Texas between 2010 and 2012. But an investigation found 70 percent of the money went to VSO's Florida headquarters and to…

Charity Claims It Owns 'Happy Birthday' Song Copyright
November 16, 2015 at 10:37 am

In September, a judge ruled that music licensor Warner-Chappell doesn't own the copyright to "Happy Birthday." The question now seems to have become: who does? A charity called the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) has stepped forward now to say that if Warner loses the copyright, it should become the rightful owner. Earlier this week,…

The Nonprofit Fighting Chicago's $400M George Lucas Museum Plan
November 12, 2015 at 9:14 am

A federal judge did not rule Tuesday on the city's motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Friends of the Parks to stop the Lucas Museum project, allowing the preservation group time to respond to the city's effort to end the legal wrangling. The proposal for the museum between Soldier Field and McCormick Place has…

IRS Revokes Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame Nonprofit Status
November 5, 2015 at 10:25 am

FOX23 learned the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame’s nonprofit status was revoked by the Internal Revenue Service. FOX23 previously reported about ongoing financial problems at the Jazz Hall, like the nonprofit bouncing checks to Tulsa County for insurance payments, part of its lease agreement. The Jazz Hall of Fame also is behind on its Downtown…

Veterans-Charity Scam Bilked $750,000 From Seniors
November 5, 2015 at 10:19 am

The Arizona attorney general's office says it shut down a veterans-charity scam that bilked about $750,000 from seniors across the U.S. suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related disorders. Attorney General Mark Brnovich and his office terminated three Phoenix telemarketing companies owned by Robert Foster—Happy Hands LLC, Standing Tree LLC and Action Point LLC—as part…

Cities Pull Back on Firefighter Fundraising, Citing Safety Concerns
October 22, 2015 at 10:11 am

At least seven U.S. cities and counties have stopped firefighters from collecting charitable donations at busy intersections citing safety concerns. For nearly 61 years, career and volunteer firefighters around the country have participated in “Fill-the-Boot” roadside charity campaigns, often around the Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends. They raise money, while on duty and in…

Nonprofit Board Members Benefited From Improper Spending
October 9, 2015 at 9:55 am

A court-sanctioned investigation has found state Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, and his wife Theresa received at least $3,486 in improper reimbursements from a now-defunct nonprofit organization. A report filed in Ramsey County District Court Thursday alleges Community Action of Minneapolis paid for plane tickets, hotel stays, travel expenses and spa services for the Haydens. With…

The Americans With Disabilities Act: What Your Nonprofit Needs to Know
October 7, 2015 at 9:34 am

July 26, 2015 marked the 25th anniversary of the signing of a landmark law for people with disabilities: the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is divided into five titles. Title I deals with employment discrimination against people with disabilities. This includes employment discrimination by nonprofit employers. As a nonprofit employer, what questions should you consider when it comes to making hiring, firing and other employment decisions...

Colorado College Sued for Denying Bible-Themed Donor Plaque
October 6, 2015 at 10:14 am

A graduate of a Colorado university who wanted to cite the names of Bible verses on a donor nameplate in a football locker room sued his alma mater for rejecting the request. Michael Lucas wanted the plaque recognizing a $2,500 donation he made to be inscribed with "Colossians 3:23" and "Micah 5:9," but not the…