People around the country and right here in Connecticut are outraged over what's being called a historic case of charity fraud.
Four charities – Cancer Fund of America, Cancer Support Services, Children’s Cancer Fund of America and the Cancer Society – are accused of scamming cancer patients out of $187 million.
The Federal Trade Commission and officials in all 50 states are going after the so-called sham cancer charities.
According to a federal complaint, donations ended up in the pockets of people who ran the four charities, along with their families and friends.
"I was I think most shocked at the scale," said Adam Clemens, co-founder of the Linda Clemens Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Connecticut charity, which is not involved in the lawsuit, is named after Clemens’ mother, who lost her battle with breast cancer. It's designed to support other breast cancer patients by providing them with chemotherapy care bags.
"Approximately 95 percent, if not slightly more, of the funds that we raise goes directly back to our initiatives within the community," said Clemens.
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According to federal officials, less than 1 percent of money donated to the sham charities actually went to help cancer patients.
The American Cancer Society, the nation’s largest non-profit funding cancer research, says about 70 percent of its donations goes toward important programs including through its Connecticut chapter.
"We’ve been helping people get well, find cures, fight back," said Elsie Melita, a community representative for the American Cancer Society. "I think no one should have to go through the cancer journey by themselves."
The state’s Consumer Protection Commissioner says lawsuits like these are a last resort. Donors are encouraged to research charitable organizations before giving money.
The FTC say two of the charities have already settled while the other two are still pending.
