The Maryland Attorney General and Secretary of State issued a cease and desist order against DMV Futures, Inc., a Baltimore-based charity, for allegedly misusing charitable funds and using children in unsupervised door-to-door solicitation without providing the promised programs or benefits.
According to a news release issued on Thursday, May 22: “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee announced today that a Cease and Desist Order has been issued against DMV Futures, Inc., a Baltimore-based youth charity, and its president, Marcus Smith, requiring that the organization, Smith, and all of DMV Futures, Inc.’s officers, agents, and directors cease all charitable solicitation, including door-to-door solicitations.”
The Cease and desist order comes after the State conducted an investigation into accusations that DMV Futures, Inc. was transporting groups of youngsters into communities to engage in unsupervised door-to-door solicitation of charitable contributions and candy sales. The inquiry discovered that the organization claimed to provide a wide range of comprehensive work-educational youth programs and services, as well as part-time jobs, scholarships, and other financial incentives for youngsters. However, it was discovered that the group did not administer these programs and provided little to no financial benefit to the children participating.
The investigation also revealed that the organization directed charitable contributions into its officers’ personal accounts without proper accounting controls or board oversight and failed to submit required annual reports and fees to the Office of the Secretary of State, resulting in a non-compliant registration status.
The Secretary of State’s Office registers and supervises charity organizations that seek charitable contributions in Maryland. The Office collaborates with the Office of the Attorney General to guarantee that charitable contributions made by Maryland residents are directed to qualified charity organizations and used for their intended purpose.
“DMV Futures, Inc. misrepresented its charitable impact so its officers could make money off generous Marylanders who just wanted to help young people get a job or pay for school,” said Attorney General Brown. “We are proud to work with the Office of the Secretary of State to stop these dubious charities and ensure that Marylanders’ generosity benefits legitimate organizations, not those who abuse the public’s trust.”
“Charitable organizations and nonprofits assist Marylanders every day, and we will always zealously enforce the law in order to protect the public and the good work of legitimate nonprofits and charitable organizations,” said Secretary of State Lee.
In making today’s announcement, Secretary Lee and Attorney General Brown commended Javaneh Pourkarim, Assistant Attorney General, and Robert Gurley, Investigator, Secretary of State’s Office, for their contributions to this case.
Anyone who has been recruited by DMV Futures, Inc., or parents of adolescents who have been asked to conduct door-to-door solicitations, may contact Robert Gurley at 410-260-3859 or [email protected].
