Our firm investigates business entities that have committed some form of fraud or deceptive business practice, which has harmed a group of consumers in a similar manner. We have successfully resolved numerous consumer fraud claims, helping thousands of people recover their losses. For the last six decades, our firm has stood up to unscrupulous corporate organizations to help consumers in a wide range of consumer fraud matters.
A fake charity in Colorado accused of keeping money that was donated for emergency services and school materials has been ordered to close down and pay thousands of dollars in fines and damages.
The fraud charged brought against Front Range Charitable Services and its acting president Colleen Gardenour was settled outside of court with the state Attorney General John Suthers.
According to Suthers, the organization had taken charity donations from “hundreds of individuals” in Denver who were told by telephone solicitors that the funds would be sent to local residents in crisis.
However, bank records show that most of the donations were pocketed by Gardenour, a few employees, and her relatives.
For example, in 2004, the charity raised $79,290 in donations and only 25 percent of those funds—$19,452—were actually used for charity, according to the consumer fraud lawsuit. The rest of the funds were spent on solicitors and “other expenses.”
Suthers has also filed consumer fraud lawsuits against several other charities such as the Colorado Children's Assistance Center and Veterans for the Homeless. The cases are still open.
Have you been a victim of charity fraud? Please contact us today to speak with a qualified and experienced consumer fraud attorney who can evaluate your case FREE of charge and inform you of your legal rights and options.
Consumer fraud class action lawsuits are specifically designed to help individuals who have been similarly aggrieved to pursue a common goal – namely to hold the deceptive business accountable for any damages suffered. Thus, consumers who have been defrauded by a corporation or other entity may file a consumer fraud class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and others to seek compensation for their shared grievance.
If you feel you have been the victim of consumer fraud or any type of fraud, please contact us to learn about your legal rights and options. WE VALUE YOUR PRIVACY: any information you provide on this secure form will be held in the strictest confidence and will only be used by our attorneys to determine how we can help you.