Court sanctions charity, pro fundraiser

A Somerset veterans charity and a professional fundraiser based in Warren, R.I. have been ordered by a court to stop several alleged deceptive practices in fundraising efforts.

Bay State Vietnam Veterans, Inc. and Dynamic Marketing Solutions, Inc., now have several limits put on them.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's office announced the preliminary injunction Thursday, following a temporary restraining order against Bay State and Dynamic.

The preliminary injunction prevents the companies from doing the following:

• engaging in deceptive practices while soliciting charitable donations in Massachusetts
• destroying or altering any records while a civil lawsuit is pending over the alleged deceptive practices

They must also account for money raised in 2011 and 2012 in the next 30 days.

The state is suing Dynamic and Bay State, alleging that Dynamic falsely stated that 100 percent of donations would benefit veterans -- where in fact only 15 percent of solicited funds went to veterans, and 85 percent went to Dynamic. Among other alleged false claims:  

• Dynamic paid employees are accused of falsely claiming they were volunteers
• The pro fundraisers are accused of falsely claiming the donations would benefit veterans in the donors' communities
• The pro fundraisers are accused of falsely claiming in some cases that they were veterans returning from Afghanistan  

Under the lawsuit, the companies would be fined $5,000 for every deceptive act found.