The Publishing Group, Inc. provided no benefits to veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders or drug abuse prevention programs.
Attorney General John Kroger today announced an agreement that bans from doing business in Oregon a company that raised money by falsely claiming that advertising purchases in its publications would help veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders and drug abuse prevention programs.
The Publishing Group, Inc., based in North Carolina, agreed to pay $6,000 and faces significantly higher fines if it violates the agreement filed today in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
“Raising money by falsely claiming to help veterans is unconscionable,” said Attorney General Kroger.
The Publishing Group, Inc. contacted small businesses over the telephone to sell them advertising. The company claims to have several different publications, but they are only available online at the company’s websites which include www.therescuesquadmagazine.com, www.thelawenforcementtimes.com, www.thevolunteerfiremanonline.com, www.theunitedveteransreport.com and www.thedrugpreventionnews.com. An investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice’s Charitable Activities Section determined that The Publishing Group falsely claimed that advertising purchases would benefit local volunteer fire departments, a children’s safety “stop drop and roll” program, drug abuse prevention programs, law enforcement, fire, and emergency services.
The company also sold online ads based on the false representation that www.thelawenforcementtimes.com is “an information exchange for professional law enforcement agencies” and “disseminates useful and educational information pertaining to all phases of police protection.” In fact, the company has no affiliation with any public safety groups or similar charitable organizations.
The case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Michelle E. Smith and Investigator Fiona Harpster
Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.
Contact:
Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us