4 Cancer Charities Charged in $187 Million Fraud Case
Updated: Federal Trade Commission suit charges nonprofits and some executives with using deceptive fundraising pitches.
Justice Kennedy Rejects Advocacy Group’s Donor-Disclosure Appeal
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy turned down an emergency appeal late Monday by a nonprofit advocacy group seeking to reverse California court rulings requiring it to identify donors to state officials, writes the Los Angeles Times.
Britain Eyes Role of Charity Appeals in Pensioner’s Death
The agency that regulates fundraising in Britain has launched an investigation into nonprofit solicitation strategies following the apparent suicide of a 92-year-old woman whose family and friends said she was overwhelmed by charity appeals, the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports.
Calif. Nurses Seek Tighter Rules on Hospitals’ Tax Breaks
Marching on the state capitol last week in support of their union’s agenda, California nurses renewed a call for tougher reporting requirements on nonprofit medical centers’ community benefits, writes The Sacramento Bee.
N.Y. Governor Pushes Tax Break for Private-School Attendees
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo visited religious institutions Sunday to promote a plan to give tax credits to families of private-school students, signaling his intention to make the bill a priority as the state legislative session winds down, writes The New York Times.
South Sudan Defends Move to Restrict Foreign Aid Workers
In the throes of a civil conflict that has uprooted millions, the world’s newest country is moving forward with a law that would limit the number of foreigners aid agencies can bring in, a step that relief groups say could have “catastrophic effects” on humanitarian efforts, the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports.
Russian Bill Targets ‘Undesirable’ Foreign Nonprofits
Russian lawmakers advanced legislation Friday that would grant prosecutors the power to declare foreign and international nonprofit groups “undesirable” and close them down, the Associated Press reports.
Ala. Clinics’ Ex-CFO Rearrested Over Mailings to Case Figures
A former Alabama nonprofit executive awaiting sentencing for her role in diverting millions of dollars from the charities was arrested again this week in connection with packages sent to people involved in the fraud investigation, Al.com reports.
Report: Azerbaijan Used Nonprofits to Fund Congressional Travel
The country’s state-owned oil company subsidized a trip for 10 members of Congress and 32 staffers to attend a conference two years ago, allegedly funneling money through two American nonprofits, according to an Office of Congressional Ethics report obtained by The Washington Post.
Minneapolis Churches Balk at Tax Assessment for Mall Project
Several large, primarily religious nonprofits are raising legal objections to a proposed special property-tax assessment for major improvements to the city’s Nicollet Mall shopping district, MinnPost reports.
Likely Bush Campaign Advisers Working for Allied Nonprofit
A nonprofit policy organization started by a friend and political ally of Jeb Bush has hired several top advisers who are expected to join the former Florida governor’s as-yet-unannounced presidential campaign, an arrangement The Washington Post says puts the would-be candidate on “untested legal ground.”
Nonprofit Periodicals Say They Will be Hit Hard by Postal Increases
Publications by Consumer Reports will cost about $900,000 more annually to mail; nonprofit letters and cards will see much smaller percentage increases.
By Holly Hall
Contributor
State Department Won’t Review Gifts to Clinton Health Charity
A department spokesman said Thursday that it does not plan to conduct a review of donations to the Clinton Health Access Initiative, a branch of the Clinton Foundation that did not disclose gifts during Hillary Clinton’s term as secretary of state, the Associated Press reports.
Fla. Grants Millions to Charity Led by Lobbyist’s Daughter
Lauren’s Kids, a child-abuse nonprofit founded by the daughter of one of Florida’s most prominent lobbyists, has received nearly $7 million in legislative appropriations in the last four years, far more than other children’s charities, according to investigative news site Florida Bulldog.
Ill. Charities Ramp Up Fundraising as State Budget Cuts Loom
With Illinois officials slashing nonprofit funding as they tackle a $1.6 billion state budget deficit, social-service groups are stepping up efforts to build up donations while simultaneously warning that philanthropy cannot make up for reduced government support, the Chicago Tribune reports.
L.A. Utility Head Apologizes for Criticizing Nonprofit Audit
The general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has apologized to city leaders for assailing an audit of two controversial nonprofit groups operated by the utility and its employees’ union, writes the Los Angeles Times.