OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 17 that his office has filed a civil lawsuit against two California charities – Wounded Warriors Support Group (WWSG) and Central Coast Equine Rescue and Retirement (CCERR) – for allegations of charitable fraud.
According to Becerra’s office, the operators of these charities run raffles that supposedly support veterans, yet spend donations for personal use, from shopping to paying off credit card debt.
The lawsuit seeks general damages, civil penalties, involuntary dissolution of both charities, and a ban against owners Matthew G. Gregory, his wife Danella J. Gregory, and their adult children, Matthew J. Gregory and Gina D. Gregory, that would stop them from operating a charity in the state.
“Veterans and their families sacrifice immensely for our country. There is no place for sham charities that claim to support our veterans when in reality they’re lining their own pockets,” Becerra said. “It’s a breach of the public trust to deceive and exploit the good will of generous Americans. It's worse when you do so at the expense of our veterans. I will vigorously investigate and prosecute any charity falsely claiming to help our veterans.”