July 26, 2006

Attorney General Corbett releases more than $9,200 to Burn Foundation of Philadelphia to support summer camp for Southeastern Pennsylvania burn survivors 

PHILADELPHIA - Attorney General Tom Corbett today released more than $9,200 to the Burn Foundation of Philadelphia to support the Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp summer program that provides unique and specialized activities for southeastern Pennsylvania child and adolescent burn survivors.

Corbett said the funds represent restitution obtained in a legal case that the Attorney General's Charitable Trusts and Organizations Section brought against a Philadelphia charities promoter accused of running an illegal fundraising campaign for a national firefighters group. 

The Commonwealth claimed that the alleged illegal campaign misrepresented where the money was going and how it would be spent. The fundraiser resulted in the collection of thousands of dollars in public donations.        

"We are here to fulfill the charitable intent of hundreds of Pennsylvanians who generously contributed to this group because they were told that their money would assist local firefighters and fire-related programs," Corbett said during a check presentation at the Burn Foundation in Philadelphia. "Today, we turn over this restitution check to Burn Foundation officials who will carry out those intentions."  

Corbett said an "Assurance of Voluntary Compliance" action was filed in 1999 against Patrick J. Leonard, 309 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, and his business, PJL Promotions, 2529 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.  Leonard, a professional solicitor, was hired to raise funds for the Foundation for Disabled Fire Fighters (FDFF), a charitable organization.

During the telemarketing campaign, it was alleged that numerous misrepresentations and omissions were made to entice potential donors to contribute.

"Potential donors were led to believe that their contributions would remain in the Philadelphia area directly benefiting local firefighters and programs, when in fact local departments did not benefit whatsoever," Corbett said. "Others were told that the person on the phone asking for donations claimed to be an actual firefighter, when in fact the caller was a paid employee who worked for Leonard."

Leonard was also accused of making false statements about FDFF's membership, and falsely claiming that the group was located in Pennsylvania when it was not. Additionally, investigators said Leonard failed to register as a professional solicitor with the Pennsylvania Department of State prior to conducting fundraising activities.

Under the terms of the legal action, Leonard was required to:

• " Permanently forfeit his right to directly or indirectly participate in charitable solicitations of any kind within the Commonwealth.
• " Pay $8,500 in restitution, and $1,500 in civil penalties and investigation costs.

Leonard failed to make consistent payments to the Attorney General's Office as required under the 1999 agreement. He complied with the payment schedule after a second action was filed in 2003. The total restitution award, including interest, is $9,224.47.

During today's event, Corbett presented a check for $9,224.47 to Burn Foundation President and CEO Cynthia Rauso. The money will be used to serve Philadelphia campers ages 8 to 17 who will attend the Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp in Maryland this August. The Foundation awards up to 25 scholarships each year to attend the camp. While free to campers, the Foundation's cost to send a single child to camp is approximately $750. 

"I am told that this camp experience is like no other," Corbett said. "As you would expect, campers take part in swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, hiking, and a number of sports. What makes this experience so exceptional, however, is the help that these young burn survivors receive with their physical, psychological and social needs from burn treatment and recovery experts. I'm grateful for programs like this that offer so much."   

The Burn Foundation is a Philadelphia-based, nonprofit organization created in 1973 to serve the greater Philadelphia region in the prevention of burn injuries and to support the burn care community by enhancing the quality of life for burn survivors and their families.

The Foundation supports the four major burn treatment centers of the Delaware Valley: The Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Lehigh Valley Hospital, St.Christopher's Hospital for Children, and Temple University Hospital.

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