TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a complaint seeking to close a Florida charity falsely claiming to use donations to support families of firefighters lost in the line of duty.
Community Charity Advancement also allegedly falsely claims to use donations to assist breast cancer research organizations and breast cancer patients, but in some instances uses donations for different purposes, a news release said.
Bondi's complaint said CCAI’s deceptive practices mislead donors into contributing to CCAI instead of legitimate charitable organizations.
"... Every dollar given to a deceptive charity is a dollar that does not go to those in need," she said.
The complaint also alleges that CCAI falsely represents having a partnership with bona fide cancer research and support organizations.
Some of these organizations, who are not in partnership with CCAI, despite the company’s claims, include the University of Florida, Johns Hopkins and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
During the past four years, CCAI reported raising more than $40 million in donations through the fundraising efforts of various fictitious names.
In 2014, CCAI reported raising more than $10 million in donations, which CCAI provided just $49,000, or half of one penny, in cash contributions to breast cancer research organizations.
In that same year, CCAI diverted half a million dollars in donations meant to support breast cancer research or assist patients to pay fundraisers and other vendors for services connected to its firefighter-related activities.
Despite CCAI’s representations, CCAI made no financial donations during the past three years to support families of firefighters who passed away in the line of duty.
The complaint alleges violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Consumers who donated to CCAI can file a complaint with Attorney General Bondi’s Office by clicking here. To view the complaint, click here.
MOBILE USERS: Download our WTXL news app on your Apple and Android devices for the latest from South Georgia and North Florida. Also, download our WTXL Weather Now app for Apple and Android devices to get the latest local weather wherever you go.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional local news and hourly updates.
