Florida joins suit against cancer charity over alleged fraud
WEST PALM BEACH — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking legal action against a cancer treatment charity that allegedly mismanaged money meant for patients.
The Federal Trade Commission and agencies from 10 states, including Florida, filed suit against Cancer Recovery Foundation International Inc. and its founder and president, Gregory B. Anderson, the FTC announced Monday in a news release.
The foundation claimed that it provided financial support directly to help cancer patients and families in need. It also operated and solicited donations under another name: Women’s Cancer Fund.
“50% of all money goes to support women in treatment and recovery overcome their financial difficulties,” according to a telemarketing solicitation from the foundation.
But of the $18.25 million donated to the charity from 2017 to 2022, only $194,809 — roughly 1% — went to help women with cancer, according to the civil complaint.
The lawsuit is centered around a civil investigation that found the foundation reportedly directed far fewer funds to cancer patients and families than it reported.
“The charity allegedly only provided about a penny of every dollar spent toward supporting patients,” the FTC news release said of the investigation’s findings.
The multi-state action also alleged the foundation worked with “deceptive” telemarketers that aided in fundraising, the civil complaint stated. Among those listed were Associated Community Services Inc. and Directele Inc. — two organizations that were shut down in 2021 after an action also filed in part by the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
“The defendants in this case exploited that generosity to solicit millions of dollars in donations that were never allocated as promised,” Moody said in a statement. “We are taking action to prevent the charity from deceiving donors and recover money for cancer