***Further update, 30 January 2007: While some commenters believe they are being "helpful" in seeking out this blog entry and posting comments that include copied and pasted information regarding the court case, I am beginning to find it intrusive. I especially don't care for the sarcasm. And since I'm the blog author, I get to make that call. So I'm closing this blog entry to comments. Enough has been said to give folks who do a search on the situation the basics, and then some.
For those who want to spread the word about the case, feel free. I'm getting more than mildly irritated by the fact that people are coming to my blog and leaving info about the court case instead of directly contacting Military Spouse Magazine so THEY can be made aware of the situation and how it's playing out. Email them. Not me. Thanks!**
About two weeks ago I blogged about an organization I learned about in Military Spouse magazine called Operation Military Pride. It sounds like a great concept and the feature in Military Spouse was about the founder, Arlyn McClaughry.
However, yesterday I received an anonymous email with information about the State of Illinois regarding the "charity" organization. Please read the following and do your due diligence before donating to the organization. (Frankly, in today's world, it's caveat emptor. Always look closely before donating time or money to anyone, no matter what their cause is. For instance, I know some folks who don't donate to breast cancer causes due to their concerns about stem cell research and whether the groups fund such research. Look closely and make sure a charity really fits your needs and beliefs before blindly donating. And remember that when I point out an interesting link or group, I'm not endorsing them. I'm just saying they sound interesting and asking you to consider them or similar programs.)
Anywho, here's the information I was emailed yesterday. Remember, there are two sides to every story. It will be interesting to see the final court decision, based on the below. Hat tip to "patriot44life" for the info!
"Regarding http://stoptheworld.clubmom.com/stop_the_world/2006/08/operation_milit.html#comments :
Illinois Attorney General claims unregistered charity has improperly solicited funds, purportedly to assist military personnel.
Case Number: 2006CH0114 Filed: January 04, 2006
The People of the State of Illinois ex rel. Lisa Madigan, Attorney General of Illinois vs. Arlyn McClaughry, doing business as Operation Military Pride, and doing business as Military Pride News
Amount: $346,952.00 Type Of Case: Injunction
Plaintiff Atty: Lisa Madigan, Attorney General of Illinois, Therese Harris, Elaine M. Johnson, Joyce Ku, Assistant Attorneys General, Charitable Trusts and Solicitations Bureau, 100 West Randolph Street, 3rd Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601-3175 (312) 814-3849
Defendant Atty:
Judge:
Jurisdiction: IL Cook County Circuit Court, Chancery Division
Summary:
The Illinois Attorney General claims that the Defendant has unlawfully solicited funds for the purported charitable purposes of assisting military personnel, without registering as a charitable solicitor or filing financial reports to account for the funds. Plaintiff The People of the State of Illinois ex rel. Lisa Madigan, Attorney General of Illinois, sues Arlyn McClaughry, doing business as Operation Military Pride and doing business as Military Pride News.
The Illinois Attorney General filed the lawsuit under the Illinois Charitable Trust Act, 760 ILCS 55/1 et seq., and the Illinois Solicitation for Charity Act, 225 ILCS 460/1 et seq.
The Defendant, a resident of McHenry, Illinois allegedly solicits and holds charitable funds under the names Operation Military Pride and/or Military Pride News from her residence for the stated charitable purpose of providing care packages, cards, letters, and other mailings and/or pen-pal partners to deployed members of the military to boost their morale.
The Defendant has engaged in such charitable solicitations campaigns, according to the Complaint, from at least December 2002 through the present. She has allegedly solicited contributions from the public through her Internet website www.operationmilitarypride.org, by representing to prospective donors that all money contributed will be used for Operation Military Pride programs that boost the morale of and contribute to the emotional support of American deployed military personnel.
Her website receives on-line payments of such contributions through www.Paypal.com, an on-line payment processor.
The Complaint alleges that the Defendant has violated the statutes in question by failing to register with the Illinois Attorney General as a charitable organization, and by failing to file financial reports concerning the contributions received and the use of the funds collected.
The Complaint seeks an accounting of all assets, receipts, expenses, and disbursements from all funds raised, collected or promised as a result of the Defendant's charitable solicitations, injunctive relief against the Defendant engaging in any further solicitations or transferring or spending any funds or assets from past solicitations without court approval. The Complaint also seeks recovery of any charitable funds found to have been misused or wasted or which the Defendant is unable to account for.
The Complaint seeks recovery of at least $296,952, as well as civil punitive damages and civil penalty fines of $50,000, as well as payment of the costs of the investigation and prosecution of the case.
(http://www.courtbriefs.com/suit_output2.cfm?SuitID=19299)"
Operation Military Pride matched several of my friends, as well as my parents and myself with a service member to support via a care-package. We have sent several packages over the last couple of years, all of which were gratefully received.
I never donated money directly to the organization, though.
Posted by: Jenny | 08/28/2006 at 12:50 PM
Good to know...thanks, Jenny!
Posted by: Melonie K. (Stop The World) | 08/29/2006 at 08:06 PM
current up to date info on the case follows here - https://63.251.13.149/cookcounty/FindDock.asp?Ncase=2006-CH-00114&SearchType=0&Database=3&case_no=&=&=&=&PLtype=1&sname=&CDate=
Posted by: CJ | 09/02/2006 at 06:45 PM
DO NOT DONATE TO THEM. She will tell you it is a tax write off but fails to give you any paperwork. I was a member for almost a year and the one thing they were most interested in was getting money donated. She is using our American Heroes as a way to commit fraud!
Posted by: D.D. | 09/03/2006 at 07:35 AM
Case Information Summary for Case Number
2006-CH-00114
Filing Date: 1/4/2006 Case Type: INJUNCTION
Division: Chancery Division District: First Municipal
Ad Damnum: $0.00 Calendar:
Party Information
Plaintiff(s) Attorney(s)
PEOPLE STATE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
100 W RANDOLPH13-194
CHICAGO IL, 60601
(312) 814-3000
MADIGAN LISA
Date of Service Defendant(s) Attorney(s)
MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN LEVY STEPHEN
33 N LASALLE #2800
CHICAGO IL, 60602
(312) 346-5676
MILITARY PRIDE NEWS
OPERATION MILITARY PRIDE
Case Activity
Activity Date: 1/4/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE ILLINOIS
INJUNCTION COMPLAINT FILED
Court Fee: 294.00
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 1/4/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE ILLINOIS
CASE SET ON CASE MANAGEMENT CALL
Court Date: 5/24/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 2/3/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
APPEARANCE FILED - FEE PAID -
Court Fee: 163.00
Attorney: LEVY STEPHEN
Activity Date: 2/24/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 2/24/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
NOTICE OF FILING FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 3/14/2006 Participant: PEOPLE OF THE STATE
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 3/14/2006 Participant: PEOPLE OF THE STATE
EXHIBITS FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 3/14/2006 Participant: PEOPLE OF THE STATE
NOTICE OF MOTION FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 3/14/2006 Participant: PEOPLE OF THE STATE
MOTION FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 3/22/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
FILE APPEARANCE OR JURY DEMAND, ANSWER OR PLEAD - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060180284
Activity Date: 3/22/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 4/11/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060180284
Activity Date: 4/11/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
FILE AMENDMENT OR ADDITIONAL OR AMENDED PLEADINGS - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060230049
Activity Date: 4/11/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
FILE AMENDMENT OR ADDITIONAL OR AMENDED PLEADINGS - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060230049
Activity Date: 4/11/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CLOSE DISCOVERY - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060230049
Activity Date: 4/11/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
CLOSE DISCOVERY - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060230049
Activity Date: 4/11/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
STRIKE FROM CASE MANAGEMENT CALL - ALLOWED
Court Date: 5/24/2006
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060230049
Activity Date: 4/11/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 7/20/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060230049
Activity Date: 4/17/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE ILLINOIS
CASE MGMT CALL NOTICE MAILED
Court Date: 5/24/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2108
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Activity Date: 4/18/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FILED
Attorney: LEVY STEPHEN
Activity Date: 4/18/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
INTERROGATORIES FILED
Attorney: LEVY STEPHEN
Activity Date: 4/18/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
NOTICE OF FILING FILED
Attorney: LEVY STEPHEN
Activity Date: 6/21/2006 Participant: PEOPLE
EXHIBITS FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 6/21/2006 Participant: PEOPLE
PROOF OF SERVICE FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 6/21/2006 Participant: PEOPLE
REQUEST TO ADMIT FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 7/20/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
FILE APPEARANCE OR JURY DEMAND, ANSWER OR PLEAD - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060433926
Activity Date: 7/20/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CLOSE DISCOVERY - ALLOWED -
Court Date: 9/8/2006
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060433926
Activity Date: 7/20/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
CLOSE DISCOVERY - ALLOWED -
Court Date: 9/8/2006
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060433926
Activity Date: 7/20/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
MISCELLANEOUS MOTION - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060433926
Activity Date: 7/20/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 9/13/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060433926
Activity Date: 7/21/2006 Participant: PEOPLE OF STATE OF ILL
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 7/21/2006 Participant: PEOPLE OF STATE OF ILL
NOTICE OF FILING FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 8/2/2006 Participant: PEOPLE
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Activity Date: 8/2/2006 Participant: PEOPLE
NOTICE OF FILING FILED
Attorney: ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE
Posted by: CJ | 09/04/2006 at 06:48 AM
Has anyone ever bothered to contact the Military Spouses Magazine to bring to their attention the lack of knowledge on their part of the situation involving the organization? I think they should print a follow-up to the article and apology to their readers for not doing their homework before referencing an organization involved in a legal battle without mentioning it. A simple google search brings it to anyones attention. Hmmmm......
Posted by: CJ | 09/04/2006 at 07:00 AM
I think people need to get their facts straight before bad mouthing an organization. Donations were used for the project specified at the time. In addition, this organization has not asked for donations in over a year and relies on volunteers to send items themselves. It matches people who truly want to help with service members overseas. I know first hand that there are hundreds of service members and their families that have been supported by the wonderful volunteers in this group.
Shame on the jealous individuals still trying to stir trouble because you couldn't get your way. Before you turn people away, as the owner of this blog has said, there are two sides to this story and I encourage you to ask questions. It has never been labelled as a "tax write off". That was clear from the start!!
Posted by: A C | 09/11/2006 at 08:16 PM
Did I miss something? I do not see anyone badmouthing anyone but instead presenting the FACTS. It is clearly a case in court and the state of Illinois would not spend their money and time bringing a case if they did not find just cause to do so. It looks like they just want accountability for money in their state and their website (state) states it cost $15 to register. It cost more to fight the state than to register in it so registering would have been a good idea. I do not see this organization on the military or america supports you website. Wouldn't it be there if everything was ok with it? Where do names come from to support if they are not registered on the military sites or in their state? Did they come from another public list? If people send packages or whatever themselves then why was there ever a need to ask for money even over a year ago? I do not know the article in the magazine mentioned but it is unfortunate they would highlight a group involved in a legal battle before the battle is done. Gives the magazine less credibility since not all is presented in the article too - all the good and bad.
Posted by: Judy | 09/12/2006 at 06:30 AM
Appears there is activity on the case this past week with more scheduled for Wednesday the 20th of September too.
Activity Date: 9/13/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
FILE AMENDMENT OR ADDITIONAL OR AMENDED PLEADINGS - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Activity Date: 9/13/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 9/20/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Posted by: Judy | 09/17/2006 at 01:14 PM
It seems they would not continue with this case if there was nothing to continue it for. Just looked it up and there is routine court appearance and activity the other day and MORE to Come in October on the 18th. Here is the info from the courthouse or county clerks courtcase update page:
Activity Date: 9/20/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
FILE AMENDMENT OR ADDITIONAL OR AMENDED PLEADINGS - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Activity Date: 9/20/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 10/18/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Posted by: Judy | 09/22/2006 at 02:40 PM
I received the same email today, referencing a blog post I had back in March that simply had Operation Military Pride listed as a link to support the troops.
It would be supremely easy to do,say, a Technorati search and find all the blogs that mentioned Operation Military Pride....and then email the blog owners this anonymous email.
I have emailed this person patriot44life@netscape.net requesting more information from them as to why they have decided to send these anonymous mass emails?
and I've also emailed the administrator of Operation Military Pride,forwarding the email and asking if they have any explanation.
But why am I finding NO references to this court case when I use Google,Dogpile,etc?
I also think I'm going to forward the email to Snopes.com
I would not want to post a link to a fraudulent organization...but I would also not want to fall for someone's personal vendetta against an organization via mass anonymous emails.
Mostly,I guess I'm too cynical, and find it really hard to beleive someone just suddenly decided out of the goodness of their heart to anonymously mass email strangers?
Posted by: Kathi | 11/24/2006 at 05:03 PM
Snopes covers hoaxes. Here is what I find on the case. Google has alot too. Looks like it is real and that whoever sent the emails is cautioning or to say proceed with caution. Perhaps they were a victim or one that had been burned and do not want others to be burned or deceived as they were. Who knows? It's just nice to know facts and it appears this is for real. Court clerk page found online is: https://63.251.13.149/cookcounty/FindDock.asp?Ncase=2006-CH-00114&SearchType=0&Database=3&case_no=&=&=&=&PLtype=1&sname=&CDate
Posted by: Barb | 12/08/2006 at 02:15 PM
Forgot to put it is what is posted above and here is updated whatever is at the end of that link since it looks like one can not click into it
Activity Date: 11/13/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 11/30/2006
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH060703931
Activity Date: 11/30/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
FILE APPEARANCE OR JURY DEMAND, ANSWER OR PLEAD - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Activity Date: 11/30/2006 Participant: MCCLAUGHRY ARLYN
WITHDRAWAL OF ATTORNEY FROM CASE - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Attorney: LEVY STEPHEN
Microfilm: CH000000000
Activity Date: 11/30/2006 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 1/5/2007
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Looks like the attorney quit. Wonder why. Odd, unless they were losing or not paid. I would call the attorney general office to verify cuz Snopes will not have it since it is for real. Glad someone is cautious and warning folks to watch out for our troops.
Posted by: Barb | 12/08/2006 at 02:18 PM
Need anyone say more? SHE LOST HER CASE and the STATE WON! Wonder if that magazine will do a write up about that now!
Activity Date: 1/5/2007 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROGRESS CALL
Court Date: 1/19/2007
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Microfilm: CH070012743
Activity Date: 1/19/2007 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
DEFAULT - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Activity Date: 1/19/2007 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
CASE SET ON PROVE UP CALL
Court Date: 2/21/2007
Court Time: 1000
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Activity Date: 1/19/2007 Participant: PEOPLE STATE I LINOIS
STRIKE OR WITHDRAW ANSWER OR APPEARANCE OR BOTH - ALLOWED -
Court Room: 2510
Judge: MASON, MARY ANNE
Wonder if she will show up for the next court appearance.
Posted by: Barb | 01/26/2007 at 12:56 PM