Police fundraising group sues attorney general

[TexasTowelie]

Facing up to $1 million in fines, an Austin-based nonprofit is going to court to keep Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott out of its business.

The Texas State Troopers Association filed a lawsuit in federal court last week asking a judge to grant an injunction ordering Abbott’s office to stop its “course of intimidation and discrimination against the nonprofit.”

The group has come under fire by the state for years for spending the majority of its money on telemarketing instead of services to members. Abbott’s office has warned people to think twice before supporting the troopers association. The Department of Public Safety has advised donors to stay away from groups whose names include “state troopers.”

In its lawsuit, the troopers association accuses the attorney general’s office of trying to bully the group into signing an agreement that would force executive director Claude Hart to resign, as well as board members Lee Johnson, Anne Johnson and Herschel Henderson. Those leaders would also be banned from working for or volunteering with any Texas organization that purports to benefit public safety, the document states.

More at http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/police-fundraising-group-sues-attorney-general/nbrd6/ (subscription required).

[font color=green]The story continues with information that indicates that the group returns only a small percentage of donations back to its members with the bulk of expenses going to a telemarketing firm. The AG's office is trying to force the current leadership of the group to resign by enticing the group with a reduction of their fine from $1 million to $150,000 if they comply with the terms of the settlement.[/font]

[hobbit709]

1. It's hard to believe but I actually agree with Abbott on this.

These clowns have been scamming for years.

[johncoby2]

2. This is just free publicity for Abbott

They are doing nothing wrong. They are slimy, rotten, bastards for taking 80% of the donations and paying the fundraising company and their employees, but that is NOT illegal.

So what is Abbott doing? He is getting free publicity and nothing else.