Attorney General's News Release

Feb. 17, 1999

Operation Breakthrough receives $30,000 from Children International under agreement obtained by Nixon

Jefferson City, MO — Complaints about telephone slamming, cramming and billing charges topped the list of consumer complaints made to Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's office for the first time last year.

Nixon, who began investigating Children International last year, secured a court-approved agreement in January requiring the company to make substantial changes in its advertising and to make a donation to a local charity.

"I am pleased to designate Operation Breakthrough to receive this money. This day-care answers a basic need for Kansas City by providing safe, quality care services to inner-city families who would otherwise not be able to afford to give their children adequate supervision," Nixon said. "The center's efforts are far-reaching and benefit the entire community. It is appropriate to make a local donation to care for our children right here in Kansas City."

Operation Breakthrough offers day-care to children in Kansas City who come from families impacted by poverty, homelessness and substance abuse.

Nixon said the center fosters a positive environment for low-income children and empowers families through advocacy, referral services and emergency aid. Children International, a well-known children's charity based in Kansas City, agreed to donate the money to Operation Breakthrough as required by the assurance of voluntary compliance.

The court-approved agreement called for Nixon to designate the children's charity which would receive the $30,000 donation. Children International solicits consumers nationwide to sponsor a child in a foreign country; the children to be sponsored often are represented as living in dire economic situations.

The agreement addresses Nixon's allegations that Children International used photographs and profiles of "poster" children in advertising that did not accurately depict the children, their biographical information or the conditions in which they live.

The agreement also resolved Nixon's concerns about information sponsors received which represented that children would stop receiving benefits such as medication or have benefits delayed if sponsors were late with payments, discontinued their sponsorships or did not respond to appeals for additional contributions.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818