LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Feb. 14 that Florida-based nonprofit Breast Cancer Outreach Foundation Inc. will pay $150,000 after allegations it deceptively raised $1.4 million nationwide, including at least $36,372 in Michigan.
Of the $150,000 settlement agreement, $125,000 will be put directly to breast cancer research while the remaining $25,000 will go toward attorney fees and costs for the state. The foundation must also withdraw its charitable solicitations registration in Michigan and it will be banned from soliciting in the state for 10 years.
According to Schuette’s office, the group told consumers their donations would be used for breast cancer research grants, yet only $8,235 of the total donations the foundation received went to a grant. The defendants allegedly used the rest of the funds to pay professional fundraisers and cover other expenses.
“In recent years, my office has [fought] deceptive solicitations for cancer, veterans, firefighters, and police. It’s sad to see these causes exploited,” Schuette said. “Donors should remain vigilant during solicitations—especially regarding emotional appeals for sympathetic causes. And it bears repeating: research the charity before giving.”