NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Secretary of State’s office says a Chattanooga man faces $140,000 in civil penalties for soliciting donations by “falsely” claiming the funds would be used to help area veterans.
The Secretary of State’s office alleges that investigators found 28 instances in which Steven Brackett sought donations on behalf of an organization he called the American Veterans Relief Foundation, according to a news release.
Investigators found Mr. Brackett did not provide the food baskets or other support for veterans as promised, the release states.
The Secretary of State’s Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming assessed a $5,000 civil penalty for each of the 28 violations of Tennessee’s Charitable Solicitations Act, the release says, and Mr. Brackett was notified of the penalties by mail this week.
Attempts to reach Mr. Brackett for comment were unsuccessful.
Linda Holland, 69, of Chattanooga, is one of the people who gave money to the foundation after receiving a call in September. Growing up with several military members in her family, she said she has “a soft spot” for veterans and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give to an organization that benefited them.
She said she was upset to hear that the money she donated did not go to help veterans.
Secretary of State Tré Hargett said he found it “particularly appalling when an individual or group tries to exploit the strong admiration Tennesseans feel toward our military veterans. “
Hargett spokesman Blake Fontenay said Mr. Brackett can either pay the fines or appeal the case to an administrative law judge for a hearing.
Staff writer Brittany Cofer contributed to this story.