Press Release

Attorney General Ellison permanently bans deceptive charity, Breast Cancer Outreach Foundation, from operating in Minnesota

Obtains settlement prohibiting charity from any further activity in Minnesota due to deceptive solicitation practices, encourages Minnesotans to ‘do your homework’ before giving

June 20, 2019 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a proposed court order that will ban the Florida-based Breast Cancer Outreach Foundation (“BCOF”) from further operating in Minnesota due to its deceptive solicitation practices. The court order alleges that BCOF’s solicitation of Minnesota donors gave them the false impression that contributions would be used to support breast cancer research and help local Minnesota women in their fight against breast cancer. In reality, BCOF spent the vast majority of its money on fundraising and other overhead expenses, and never directly granted any money to a Minnesota woman with breast cancer or to any organization helping women in Minnesota in their struggle with breast cancer. 

“One of the best things about Minnesota is that we Minnesotans are generous with our time and money to help others,” Attorney General Ellison said. “Part of my role in helping people afford their lives and live with dignity and respect is ensuring that any donations to charity they make out of their hard-earned money are used as Minnesotans and the law expect — for actual charitable work.”

This court order banning BCOF from further activity in Minnesota stems from a related July 2018 lawsuit against BCOF’s former president, Neil Paulson, and another charity he ran, Help the Vets, Inc. (“HTV”).  The Attorney General’s Office, along with the Federal Trade Commission and five other state attorneys general, sued and concurrently settled with HTV and Pauslon for similar deceptive solicitation practices with respect to HTV’s claims to be helping veterans. HTV and Paulson were required to pay more than $1.8 million as part of the July 2018 settlement, and were permanently banned from soliciting charitable donations or overseeing the operations of another charity.

As the Attorney General’s Office continues its work of protecting Minnesotans from questionable “charities” and fraudulent solicitation practices, Attorney General Ellison encourages everyone to “do your homework” before making a donation. If you’re asked for a donation, ask the charity how they plan to use it. Don’t feel obligated to donate to a charity until you’re comfortable you know enough to make an informed decision. For more information on how to research a charity before donating, or to file a complaint about a charity, contact the Attorney General’s Office.