Koster gets consent judgment against foundation for tornado fraud

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has obtained a consent judgment against a Peurto Rico-based foundation for allegedly using fraud to solicit donations for victims of the May 22 tornado in Joplin, according to an Oct. 19 news release.

According to Koster, Alivio Foundation Inc. solicited donations following the tornado through a PayPal link on its Web site and through Crowdrise, an online fundraising site founded by Hollywood actor Edward Norton.

Alivio posted online pictures of the Joplin destruction and links to various news stories about the tornado. The foundation claimed donations would be given to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marshfield to assist tornado survivors and relatives.

In his office's investigation, Koster found that neither of the organizations had ever heard of the Alivio Foundation nor received funds from it. Alivio has reportedly received $9,000 in donations. There also was no record of Alivio providing funds to any organization helping with the Joplin recovery before Koster obtained a temporary restraining order against the foundation, according to the release.

Under the consent judgment, Alivio is prohibited from continuing to solicit donations in Missouri and required to transfer the funds collected to the attorney general's Merchandising Practices Restitution Fund. The funds then will be used for the intended purpose of Joplin aid through Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marshfield, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]