State asked to investigate Schindlers (Terri Schiavo's parents)

[soup]

By GRAHAM BRINK, Times Staff Writer
Published April 6, 2006

A lawyer involved in the Terri Schiavo saga has asked the state to investigate whether two foundations set up by Schiavo's parents and siblings unlawfully used charitable contributions for lobbying activity.

California lawyer Jon Eisenberg filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services last week and sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service.

Eisenberg alleged that Terri Schiavo's family has used the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation Inc. to collect tax-exempt donations that were then funneled to the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation Center for Health Care Ethics, a lobbying group.

Laws prevent charities from funneling their tax-exempt contributions to lobbying groups.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/06/Tampabay/State_asked_to_invest.shtml

--

and on and on and on
reminds me of the kids' song

"this is the song that never ends
it just goes on and on my friends..."

[zbdent]

1. wonder how many shady characters will turn up

in the donors' list . . .

[soup]

7. Well, hey. Someone had to pay for the Frist diagnosis.

(can't believe I just said that)

[izzie]

2. Some times I think Terry wished to leave every one in her family

--

[rodeodance]

3. The foundations are denying the charges.

.....Laws prevent charities from funneling their tax-exempt contributions to lobbying groups.

"A charity can set up a lobbying arm, but it must keep the two organizations strictly separated financially," said Eisenberg, who helped represent Michael Schiavo in his efforts to have Terri's feeding tube removed. "In this case, I don't think they are doing that."

Samantha Chechele, an attorney for the two foundations, said Wednesday that Eisenberg's allegations are without merit. The money collected by the nonprofit foundation has remained in its bank account or has been used for legitimate purposes.

Chechele also emphasized that anyone who gave money to the lobbying organization was told clearly that the contributions were not tax-exempt. She denied any funds have been commingled.

[soup]

6. They've got some restructuring going on -

>>We now ask you for a financial contribution to the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation to assist us in this all-important effort to defend and to protect human life.

Since Terri’s passing, our family, Bob Sr., Mary, Bob by and Suzanne have been actively working for Terri’s Foundation The Foundation, originally established in 2002 to help save Terri’s life, has now been restructured and will be aggressively advocating for persons in danger of being killed because they have been deemed “unworthy of life”. The Foundation is now known as the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation Center for Health Care Ethics, and is seeking status as a 501(c)(4) organization.

Additionally, we have established a new organization, simply known as the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, as a public charity.<<
http://www.terrisfight.org/news.php?id=83

ON EDIT NOTE: don't know when this was published to the site. It could be old news


Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I wonder if this is just another volley in the seemingly everlasting back and forth - or if this investigation has merit.

I'm sure about one thing, though - either way, we'll know in time since it will be splashed across the front pages.

[mzteris]

4. they used the foundations

to LIVE on! We should just call them SWINDLERS - not Schindlers.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. Must be getting advice from their friends in the GOP.

Oh well, when you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas and ticks and mange and heartworms and kennel cough and rabies.