Agricultural News
Oklahoma AG Advances Investigation Into HSUS Fundraising
Thu, 31 Jul 2014 12:46:43 CDT
HumaneWatch.org, a project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom, applauded Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt yesterday for moving forward with his investigation into the deceptive fundraising of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Oklahoma Farm Bureau's Director of Corporate Communications Sam Knipp recently interviewed AG Pruitt about this latest development. To listen to that interview click on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this article. Pruitt stated last week that his office has issued subpoenas to HSUS and an HSUS vendor, direct-mail firm Quadriga Art, in light of the latter's $25 million settlement with the New York Attorney General earlier this month. Quadriga had been accused of raising money on behalf of a veterans charity and keeping almost all of the millions raised.
Earlier this year, Pruitt issued a public "consumer alert" regarding the fundraising of national animal charities. Will Coggin, senior research analyst at the Center for Consumer Freedom, issued the following statement on the recent development:
Attorney General Pruitt deserves the public's gratitude for doggedly pursuing the Humane Society of the United States' fundraising practices and use of donor money. Despite common misconception, HSUS is not affiliated with local humane societies. Just as Quadriga Art has reportedly kept most of the money raised on behalf of veterans and animal charities, HSUS only gives 1 percent of the money it raises largely with images of cats and dogs to local pet shelters. HSUS's own CEO has admitted that confusion exists among donors and the public. The Humane Society of the United States needs to be given a short leash and held accountable, and needs to clearly disclose to its donors how their money is being used.
In May, HSUS settled a federal racketeering and bribery lawsuit for up to $15.75 million, and in June, Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator, revoked its rating of HSUS and issued a "Donor Advisory" against the group.
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