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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

State Lawsuit Says Charity Supporting Troops Misused Donations

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Tania Ibanez, Senior Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Charitable Trust Section, announce a lawsuit against the nonprofit organization Move America Forward at a press conference on July 24, 2019.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Tania Ibanez, Senior Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Charitable Trust Section, announce a lawsuit against the nonprofit organization Move America Forward at a press conference on July 24, 2019.
(
Jessica Flores/KPCC
)

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State Lawsuit Says Charity Supporting Troops Misused Donations

A nonprofit organization that sends care packages to soldiers is being accused by state officials of misusing charitable donations and misleading its donors.

A lawsuit filed by State Attorney General Xavier Becerra says Move America Forward plagiarized images from other charities and used photographs and quotes from veterans without permission.

The lawsuit also charges that the charity’s directors, Salvatore Russo and Shawn Callahan, violated federal tax regulations by funneling charitable assets to a conservative political action committee and at least two political campaigns. 

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