Sham Fundraising for Law Enforcement

By Aujunai Charpentiair

BALTIMORE, MD (September 28, 2018) - Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and

Secretary of State John C. Wobensmith announce a Cease and Desist Order has been issued
today against Stephen D. Everhart, Lion Fundraising, Police Journal and Fire Yearbook, and
Lion Fraternal Order of Police Assistance Fund LLC. The order follows an investigation that
revealed over $1 million in donations were solicited and received by Mr. Everhart since 2012 in
violation of the Maryland Solicitations Act. Mr. Everhart posed as fake law enforcement
charities to collect donations, and failed to register with the Secretary of State as either a charity
or fundraiser before soliciting and collecting donations using a cash on delivery service.

“Mr. Everhart posed as a fundraiser for fake charities supposedly representing police, firefighters
and veterans,” said Attorney General Frosh. “These sham charities steal from consumers and
violate the trust of those who donate. Fake charities also hurt legitimate charitable organizations
by siphoning off support from their good work. We are committed to putting these fraudsters out
of business.”

“There is no place in Maryland for someone that scams the public in the name of charity,” said
Secretary of State Wobensmith. “We will continue to work to stop those that con our citizens
into donating their hard-earned money to a scam charity.”

The investigation revealed that Mr. Everhart had posed as a fundraiser since 2012. He purported
to solicit on behalf of fake law enforcement, firefighter and veterans' charities. He solicited by
telephone and collected donations from unsuspecting consumers using a cash on delivery
service.

Everhart used fake thank you letters from: McKimmie-Catterton Maryland Police Post
2979, Anne Arundel Police Post 2979, Firefighters Association, Maryland Fire Post, Coalition of
Police, Anne Arundel Police Stronger Than Drugs, D.C. Police Assistance Funding, D.C. Police
Association Blue Santa Drive, FOP Fundraising, Lion Charitable Fundraising, Lion Charitable
Funding, Lion Fraternal Order of Police, Lion Police Fire Veterans Fundraising, Lion United
Funds, Maryland Law Enforcement Fund, Police Fire Post, Police Fire Veterans Assistance Fund
2979, Police Fire Veterans Assistance Fund, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2979.
Mr. Everhart, Lion Fundraising, Police Journal and Fire Yearbook, and Lion Fraternal Order of
Police Assistance Fund LLC were not registered with the Secretary of State to solicit charitable
donations.

The Office of the Secretary of State registers and regulates charitable organizations, professional
solicitors, and fundraising counsel that solicit donations on behalf of charities in Maryland. The
Office works to ensure that charitable contributions made by Marylanders go to qualified
charitable organizations and are used for the intended purpose.

Anyone who may have been solicited by Mr. Everhart, Lion Fundraising, Lion Fundraising
Police Journal and Fire Yearbook, or Lion Fraternal Order of Police Assistance Fund LLC is
encouraged to call the Charities and Legal Services Division at 410-260-3859. To check if a
charity or a professional solicitor is registered or to report other suspected violations of charitable
giving law, please call 410-260-3879 or 1-800-825-4510.

Article reprint from Press Release. Office of Brian E Frosh, Attorney General of Maryland