"Helping Hands, Inc." Served Cease and Desist Order

| 7/19/2012

A fundraising group has been issued a cease and desist order for fraud, charitable solicitation and gaming law violations. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued the order today against Stacy Dahl, doing business as "Helping Hands, Inc." of Winger, Minnesota.

According to Stenehjem, the Consumer Protection Division received complaints that Dahl has been soliciting charitable contributions for St. Jude Children`s Research Hospital when she didn`t have an agreement with the hospital or was registered to solicit charitable donations.

Stenehjem also noted that Dahl sold raffle tickets for an all terrain vehicle and sold non- existing trips for baseball games, concerts, and casinos. "Stealing from consumers using false charitable solicitations is a violation of the trust of generous North Dakota donors and is reprehensible," Stenehjem said. "Dahl has taken money from consumers through her deceptive and illegal activity and is being investigated by my Consumer Protection Division for civil action and by law enforcement for potential violations of criminal law."

According to Parrell Grossman, Director of the Consumer Protection Division, the Attorney General also received consumer complaints alleging that Dahl sold travel packages misrepresenting the hotels and consumer rebates. "Dahl`s spate of fraudulent conduct included multiple violations of numerous laws."

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