ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT BARS WORK OF HOUSTON-AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT CHARITY

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott ^ | August 19, 2003 | News Release

[Dubya]

Texas Police Officers Alliance sued for 'badge fraud' scheme AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and Harris County Attorney Mike Stafford jointly filed a lawsuit in Houston Monday afternoon to put a halt to the fraudulent telemarketing practices and financial improprieties of the Texas Police Officers Alliance (TPOA).

The two announced the suit today at a Houston Police Officers Memorial news conference denouncing such "badge fraud" schemes that exploit sympathies for families of fallen officers.

The charity and its officers - Gayln Pat Davis, Pamela J. Davis and David Moran - promised potential donors that the fund-raising work they do directly benefits "all Texas police officers," providing death benefits for families of slain officers and scholarships for dependents.

The Attorney General's Office obtained financial records to show that the defendants deposited almost $300,000 into the charity's account by late January 2003. Of this amount, only $500 has been written to benefit families of three deputies. This gesture of goodwill, however, occurred only after the charity received an Attorney General's "civil investigative demand" requesting information, similar to a subpoena in criminal proceedings.

"We believe the people who are running this bogus police charity intended to supplement their retirement through fraudulent means, with no intention of helping families in real need," Attorney General Abbott said. "They give the word 'charity' a bad name. I want to send a clear message to those who seek to exploit the families of fallen officers and the citizens of Houston. We will not tolerate this deception."

In addition to family death benefits, the TPOA led the public to believe it earmarked money for law enforcement education scholarships and provided a "Distinguished Officer Award" for bravery in the line of duty. As for scholarships, the defendants failed to even establish application procedures for these funds or notify police departments they would be available. Instead, the donated money went for salaries and business expenses.

The defendants explained that they had failed to raise sufficient funds to pay for these programs, yet they consistently represented to the public that the money goes directly for these purposes. The group also paid local high school students in the Klein area to directly solicit potential donors in the Houston area by phone.

The organization did not post a required bond to allow for this activity. Gayln Davis formerly served as a police officer for the Klein Independent School District.

The defendants have been cited in this lawsuit for numerous violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, including misleading the public about their affiliations, the scope of their charitable services, and the intended use of the donated proceeds.

The group initially registered as public safety promoters with the Texas Secretary of State in February 2002. The defendants continue to operate this fraudulent charity, even after allowing this registration to lapse last February, placing them in violation of the Occupations Code.

The Attorney General's lawsuit requests an independent accountant's review of the charity's funds, the cost of which is to be borne by the defendants. The suit also requests penalties, attorneys' fees and investigative costs.

[TexasNative2000]

There's a special place in hell for such people.

[MineralMan]

We have lots of calls here from "Police Associations," "Sheriff's Associations," and the like. They're always telemarketing companies raising money for the organization they represent. Typically the actual organization receives 10-15% of the funds collected, and that's it.

I always turn on my phone recorder when I get these calls, then ask the person calling if he is a police officer or Sheriff, or whatever. They _always_ say yes. I ask them a second time, saying, "Do you work for the police (Sheriff's) department?" Again, they invariably say yes.

At that point I hang up abruptly. I then send the tape recording to the local District Attorney, with a letter explaining that it is illegal for someone to represent themselves as a police officer and that this should be investigated.

The last couple of years, the calls have stopped.

[Lion Den Dan]

The Kentucky State Police or an agency that has used their name for 20 years runs a similar scam here in KY. A solicitor calls, even if you are on a no call list. Regardless of your response to a pledge request, you receive a follow up letter that tersely tells you to honor your pledge. Very effective with the elderly.

This scam has run rampantly under the Gore like nose of Atty. General Ben Chandler, now candidate for Gov. Guess which party.

[steplock]

Really BAD headline - sounds negative when it is actually the exact opposite

Probably should have read

AG stops Charity SCAM

[Dubya]

I agree there sure is.

[Dubya]

Good way to stop them. Keep up the good work.

[Dubya]

Hope they are stopped soon.

[Dubya]

Good way to put it.

[Dubya]

Handguns vs Women...hehe

TOP 10 WAYS THAT HANDGUNS ARE BETTER THAN WOMEN...

#10 - YOU CAN TRADE AN OLD .44 FOR TWO NEW .22'S.

#9 - YOU CAN KEEP ONE HANDGUN AT HOME, AND HAVE ANOTHER FOR WHEN YOU'RE ON THE ROAD.

#8 - IF YOU ADMIRE A FRIEND'S HANDGUN, AND TELL HIM SO, HE WILL PROBABLY LET YOU TRY IT OUT A FEW TIMES.

#7 - YOUR PRIMARY HANDGUN DOESN'T MIND IF YOU KEEP ANOTHER HANDGUN FOR A BACK UP.

#6 - YOUR HANDGUN WILL STAY WITH YOU EVEN IF YOU RUN OUT OF AMMO.

#5 - A HANDGUN DOESN'T TAKE UP A LOT OF CLOSET SPACE.

#4 - HANDGUNS FUNCTION NORMALLY EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH.

#3 - A HANDGUN DOESN'T ASK, "DO THESE NEW GRIPS MAKE ME LOOK FAT?"

#2 - A HANDGUN DOESN'T MIND IF YOU GO TO SLEEP AFTER YOU USE IT.

and, the number one way a handgun is better than a woman.............

#1 - YOU CAN BUY A SILENCER FOR A HANDGUN.

[Larry Lucido]

I support cops, having been one, and some cop charities. But I never give to telemarketers claiming to represent cops. Either they are a scam, or they represent a police labor organization (like the FOP) that supports gun control. Always ask the telemarketer what the organization's stand on RKBA is. They will never know.

[Dubya]

Thanks for the info Larry. I sure will ask. I didn't know about that.

[Dubya]

GripeSheet

You probably saw this one already, but just in case, some of these are reminders of the importance of clear writing.

GripeSheet

Problem solving at Quantas

After every flight, pilots fill out a form called a gripe sheet, which conveys to the mechanics problems encountered with the aircraft during the flight that need repair or correction. The mechanics read and correct the problem, and then respond in writing on the lower half of the form what remedial action was taken, and the pilot reviews the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of humor!

Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints and problems as submitted by Qantas pilots and the solution recorded by maintenance engineers By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident.

(P = The problem logged by the pilot.)

(S = The solution and action as recorded by engineers.)

---

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.

S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.

S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.

S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.

S: Live bugs on back-order.



P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.

S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud. (Distance Measuring equipment)

S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.

S: That's what they're there for.

P: IFF inoperative.

S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.

S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.

S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.

S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.

S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.

S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.

S: Took hammer away from midget.

[Dubya]

Political correctness often goes a little too far these days.
Here's the latest version for kids...

*Your bedroom isn't cluttered; it's "Passage-restrictive."

*Kids don't get in trouble anymore. They merely hit "Social
speed bumps."

*You're not having a bad hair day; you're suffering from
"rebellious follicle syndrome."

*No one's tall anymore. They're "Vertically enhanced."

*You're not shy. You're "Conversationally selective."

*You don't talk a lot. You're just "Abundantly verbal."

*It's not called gossip anymore. It's "Transmission of near-
factual information."

*The food at the school cafeteria isn't awful. It's
"Digestively challenged."

*Your homework isn't missing; it's just having an "Out-of-
notebook experience."

*You're not sleeping in class; you're "Rationing
consciousness."

*You don't have smelly gym socks; you have "Odor-retentive
athletic footwear."

*You weren't passing notes in class. You were "Participating
in the discreet exchange of penned meditations."

*You're not being sent to the principal's office. You're
"Going on a mandatory field trip to the administrative
building."

---

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter
for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent
in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink
wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: which
justify the wicked for reward, and take away the
righteousness of the righteous from him!

Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame
consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness,
and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have
cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the
word of the Holy One of Israel. -Isaiah 5:20