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NEWARK
– The State Division of Consumer Affairs
has settled its investigation of an unregistered
charity that rescues horses, with two trustees
of the organization agreeing to pay $6,000
back to the organization, under terms of the
Consent Order.
Therese
A. Figueroa, 55, and Cynthia J. Millar,
36, both of Branchville, each have paid
$3,000 to The Arabian Rescue Mission, Inc.
(“ARM”). Both are trustees of
ARM.
ARM,
which operates a facility in Wantage Township,
has never been registered as a charitable
organization with the Division of Consumer
Affairs as required. During its investigation,
the Division determined that Figueroa and
Millar commingled charitable donations with
payments made to a for-profit stable operating
on the same Wantage Township property as
the horse rescue organization.
Additionally,
the for-profit stable charged ARM for boarding
and feeding horses, but payments records
were inconsistent and incomplete.
“Potential
donors did not receive, and could not get,
the financial transparency from this organization
that they are entitled to,” Attorney
General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. “The
Arabian Rescue Mission now is registered
and it will annually report financial information
required under state law.”
ARM’s
federal taxpayer identification number was
used by other organizations unaffiliated
with it, the investigation found.
A
$25,000 civil penalty assessed against ARM,
Figueroa, and Millar is suspended but can
be reinstated if the terms of the Consent
Order are not met.
“We’ve
increased the public’s focus on how
charities use contributions through our
ongoing ‘Investigate Before You Donate’
initiative,” said Thomas R. Calcagni,
Director of the State Division of Consumer
Affairs. “Consumers should always
check whether a charity is registered to
solicit donations in New Jersey, and how
those donations are spent.”
The
“Investigate Before You Donate”
initiative launched last year includes a
bi-monthly report on the 10 most inquired
about charities at the Division’s
Charities Registration Section. The report
for each charity details spending on the
charitable program’s purpose, fundraising,
and management/general expenses.
Anna
Lascurain, Special Deputy in Litigation,
represented the State in this matter. Supervising
Investigator Larry Biondo and Investigator
Patrick Mullan in the Charities and Fundraising
Fraud Unit conducted the investigation.
The
Division’s Charities Hotline may be
reached at 973-504-6215 during regular business
hours.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated
or scammed by a business, or suspect any
other form of consumer abuse, can file a
complaint with the State Division of Consumer
Affairs by visiting its website
or by calling 1-800-242-5846
(toll free within New Jersey ) or 973-504-6200.
Follow
the Division of Consumer Affairs on Facebook
and check our online calendar of upcoming
Consumer
Outreach events .
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