BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 26 that Menacola Marketing Inc., a telemarketing company working on behalf of a sham charity called the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation (NVVF), will shut down after a settlement.
According to the allegations, Menacola secured roughly $190,000 in donations from New Yorkers. Consumers thought this money would go toward Vietnam War veterans. In reality, however, Menacola allegedly kept 85 percent of donations. To settle the allegations, Menacola will dissolve and its principals, Joseph DeGregorio and Katherine DeGregorio, will pay $100,000 in penalties.
“We have zero tolerance for shell charities that shamelessly exploit our veterans and other New Yorkers in need in order to line fundraisers’ pockets. New Yorkers should be able to donate with confidence and know that their money will actually support the causes advertised,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “Through our Operation Bottomfeeder, we’ll continue to aggressively pursue both bogus charities and the professional fundraisers who take advantage of New Yorkers’ goodwill.”
Handling the case for New York were co-chief of the charities bureau enforcement section assistant attorney general Yael Fuchs, assistant attorney general Peggy Farber, and former assistant attorney general Elizabeth Ann Fitzwater. They were assisted by investigator Ismael Hernandez and legal assistant Carolyn Fleishman.