Judge rules vets shelter must close

Controversy continues to surround charity

Controversy continues to surround the Southern Maryland Veterans Association following a February ceaseand-desist order from the Office of the Secretary of State. A recent district court decision will result in the closure of a building currently being used by the organization to house veterans, and a former associate of the charity continues to face a possi- ble jail sentence for embezzlement.

The Southern Maryland Veterans Association, along with the organization’s principal, Dan Brashear of Waldorf, and alleged former associate Norman McDonald of La Plata, received a cease-and-desist order from the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State Feb. 17, according to previous reports. This order alleges multiple violations of the Maryland Solicitations Act, including misleading potential donors to a charitable organization, using false and misleading advertising in connection with a solicitation and failing to register with the secretary of state before soliciting.

The cease-and-desist order was issued following an investigation by the Secretary of State’s Charities and Legal Services Division, aided by the Office of the Attorney General. Investigators estimate Southern Maryland Veterans Association collected thousands of dollars in cash and donated goods between 2014 and 2015, according to a press release from the Office of the Attorney General.