American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens

Government Action

In December 2019, a Consent Judgement Order was filed in a compromise settlement of dispute claim between the State of Minnesota and American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens (AFPCC), Inc. This Order was based on a Complain by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison against AFPCC in October 2018.

AFPCC was accused of deceiving Minnesotans by misrepresenting that donations would only be used to help families of police officers killed in the line of duty. The suit claimed, however, that 83? of its program spending went to paying fundraisers and for-profit agents to send mailers with supposed "public education" content rather than aid to the families of police officers. AFPCC was also accused of misrepresenting to donors that funds raised would be set aside in a donor's local area for families in that area, but were not set aside and instead used to cover national expenses. Additionally, the suit claimed that AFPCC did not make legally required disclosures in its solicitations, failed to file accurate financial statements, and violated a 1996 Consent Decree which sought to resolve similar alleged misconduct.

The December 2019 Consent Judgement Order indicated the following, in part:

• AFPCC cannot solicit, accept, or receive donations from donors in Minnesota, but may provide program services that benefit Minnesota residents.
• The organization's board and staff may not receive salary, wages or any other monetary benefits from charitable organizations, professional fundraisers or any organization overseeing charitable or fundraising operations soliciting from Minnesota donors.
• AFPCC cannot, in any way, participate in the forming of a charitable or fundraising operation soliciting in Minnesota, nor may AFPCC participate in any other entity engaging with Minnesota donors.
• AFPCC and its Directors were also ordered to comply with any future investigations into these complaint allegations and could not change the organization's structure to avoid the consent judgement.
• AFPCC was ordered to pay $298,637 in restitution.
• The judgement indicated that AFPCC would face a $200,000 penalty and board members a $50,000 for any violations of the agreement and that AFPCC and its Directors are not released from private claims or those from other state agencies.