New Jersey Right to Life Sets "The Record" Straight

New Jersey Right to Life issued the following statement today in response to media reports that it has been cited for "illegally spending charitable contributions" from the use of the proceeds of its annual raffle.

NJRTL categorically denies any misuse or illegal spending of the charitable contributions of its donors. Contrary to the statements published by The Record in its May 9, 2006 article, NJRTL has never been cited by any regulatory body for "improperly diverting proceeds" of its annual raffle. In 2003, NJRTL inadvertently used approximately 2% of its 2003 raffle proceeds to pay for a raffle dinner for its members. Upon learning that it mistakenly used raffle proceeds, it immediately reimbursed its raffle account for that amount. Earlier this year, NJRTL fully cooperated with the New Jersey Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) as it conducted an audit of NJRTL’s 2004-05 raffle. During that audit, NJRTL learned, for the first time, that its internal accounting procedure for raffle proceeds did not comply with the raffle law. NJRTL disbursed its raffle proceeds for charitable and educational purposes from its raffle account through a general operating account. That procedure had been overseen for several years by NJRTL’s former executive director, who was also a lawyer. Believing it was in full compliance with the raffle law, NJRTL continued to use the same accounting procedure after the former executive director left the organization.

Although NJRTL could have contested the LGCCC’s interpretation of the applicable regulations, NJRTL voluntarily entered into a administrative consent order in which it agreed to disburse its raffle proceeds directly from its raffle account and to report the handling of those funds annually to LGCCC. Although no funds were improperly used, NJRTL also agreed to transfer $20,000 from its general operating funds to its raffle account. No financial or other sanctions of any sort were imposed on NJRTL.

Contrary to media reports, the consent order had nothing to do with the purchase of a car, for personal or organizational benefit. Of course, raffle proceeds can be used to purchase the vehicle that is offered as the raffle prize. Moreover, as reflected in the consent order, the LGCCC’s allegations stemmed solely from NJRTL’s method of disbursement of its raffle proceeds and not from the misuse of those proceeds. Any implication that NJRTL engaged in criminal conduct or diverted donations for some purpose other than its educational or charitable endeavors is absolutely false.

“New Jersey Right to Life will continue our commitment to work on behalf of protecting unborn children and their mothers from abortion. We count on the generosity and good will of our contributors in order to carry out our educational and charitable functions, and we deplore any attempt to interfere with our mission by deliberately misleading our donors with false accusations against us,� said New Jersey Right to Life President, Traude Barbiero.

New Jersey Right to Life
113 North Avenue West
Cranford, NJ 07016

Contact: Marie Tasy, Executive Director
(908) 276-6620