Attorney General's News Release

June 7, 2006

Man who falsely claimed donations would go to children of soldiers killed in Iraq to pay $500 to charity, $1,000 to state

Camdenton, Mo. — A Henry County man who falsely claimed that proceeds from candy vending machines he placed in several mid-Missouri businesses would benefit the children of soldiers killed in Iraq will pay $500 to a charity for those children. Under an agreement obtained today by Attorney General Jay Nixon, Darrel M. Sanders of Urich will also pay the state of Missouri $1,000.

Nixon sued Sanders in Camden County Circuit Court on May 26, alleging he approached at least 11 business owners in Camden, Morgan and Miller counties about placing the vending machines in their businesses. Sanders told the businesses that he was an employee of the Armed Forces Children's Education Fund (AFCEF) and that all or a majority of the proceeds from the sale of the candy would go to AFCEF.

AFCEF is a legitimate charity based in Washington, D.C. that raises money to benefit the children of American soldiers killed in the Iraq war. Nixon says Sanders has no affiliation with the charity that he claimed to represent and is not registered with any legitimate charitable organization or as a professional fundraiser.

The consent judgment, approved today Camden County Associate Circuit Judge Bruce Colyer, requires Sanders to pay $500 to the AFCEF and $1,000 to the state Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund. The fund is used for consumer education and enforcement efforts. Under the judgment, Sanders must also take one of three options:

• Remove the machines from the businesses where he placed them;
• Register himself as a fundraiser with the Attorney General's Office within seven days; or
• Contact the business owners where the machines are located and inform them that he must put a notice on each machine stating that the proceeds are being used for a for-profit purpose.

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