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Nonprofit said to benefit Vietnam vets to be dissolved after questionable fund-raising tactics surface

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Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announce today that a settlement has been reached between 24 states, including New Hampshire, and VietNow National Headquarters, Inc. an Illinois nonprofit corporation that allegedly used deceptive and misrepresentative fund-raising tactics.

As part of the agreement, the nonprofit will now dissolved.

The settlement resolves allegations that VietNow misrepresented its charitable programs to donors and includes an injunction order against VietNow's directors and officers that requires their cooperation in investigations of VietNow's professional fundraisers.

Upon dissolution, VietNow's remaining funds will be paid to 2 well-respected national veterans charities- Fisher House Foundation and Operation Homefront.

Since March 2015, VietNow - which also uses the name VeteransNow - had been raising money using deceptive telemarketing solicitation scripts. The scripts, which were used by professional fundraisers, told potential donors that VietNow gave a minimum of 12 percent after expenses back to veterans in the donor's state. Other scripts stated that donations helped veterans locally in the donor's state. VietNow now admitted that it did not have local programs in most states.

Other VietNow scripts claimed that it provided "medical facilities and treatment" to veterans, but again, VietNow has identified no such programs. In its most recent financial statement, VietNow reported raising nearly $2 million nationwide. Most of this cash was paid to fundraisers with less than 5% of funds raised going to its charitable programs.

Attorney General MacDonald advises New Hampshire citizens to do their homework before donating to charities and especially those that claim to help veterans. Give to organizations that have a track record of service. Research the charity's website. For larger organizations, check out their reputation on Charity Navigator, Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance or GuideStar. New Hampshire people should be both generous - and smart - in giving to charities.

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