Attorney General's News Release

August 9, 1996

Nixon accuses Columbia fund-raiser of misrepresenting connection with area firefighters

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon on Thursday filed a lawsuit in Boone County Circuit Court against Mario Manzini Productions Inc., a professional fund-raiser who Nixon says misrepresented connections with Columbia firefighters. Nixon alleged that Dennis R. Migliore (also known as Mario Manzini) and Soldina Migliore of Columbia and their employees made several misrepresentations to consumers during a recent telemarketing campaign.

Nixon charged that telemarketers working for Mario Manzini Productions violated Missouri consumer laws by falsely telling people solicited that they had donated in the past year to the Fire Fighters Association of America and that donations would be used to help local firefighters, area children injured by fires, burn units at area hospitals and local firefighters injured in the line of duty.

Nixon said the professional fund-raiser has no relationship or arrangement regarding disbursement of donations with any existing firefighters organization in or around Boone County. Receipts and invoices sent to consumers have a return address in Columbia for Fire Fighters Association, but Nixon said the organization actually is based in New Orleans. The Columbia address is a private mailbox, and Nixon said the receipt also did not provide a Federal Tax Identification Number to the donor for tax purposes.

“When professional fund-raisers solicit consumers, they must state that they are a professional fund-raiser and explain who they are raising money for,” Nixon said. “Where a charity is located or where the money is put to work is important information to those who are solicited for donations. Misrepresentation of those facts is a serious matter.”

The Attorney General also charged that the Migliores violated a 1993 consent injunction that ordered them to disclose they were a professional fund-raiser when making solicitation calls.

Nixon is asking the Boone County Circuit Court to issue an injunction against the Migliores and their employees. The petition asks for a court order to prevent them from further violations of Missouri consumer laws and for restitution and penalties that the court may find appropriate.

Registration documents filed with the Attorney General's Office by Mario Manzini Productions for its 1995 fund-raisers indicated that the business raised more than $418,000 in 21 campaigns for various organizations. The documents show that Mario Manzini Productions retained 40 percent to 85 percent of the donations raised.

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