- Report: #260047
Complaint Review: San Diego Lost Boys Of Sudan Charitable Corporation / Karen Richards - Carlsbad California
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Author Confirmed
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San Diego Lost Boys Of Sudan Charitable Corporation / Karen Richards
P.O. Box 130713 Carlsbad, 92013-0713 California, U.S.A.
Phone:
760-212-5706
Web:
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San Diego Lost Boys Of Sudan Charitable Corporation / Karen Richards Fraud using the San Diego Lost Boys of Sudan questionable reputation Carlsbad California
I just read a story featured in the NBC San Diego website (http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/13649020/detail.html?dl=mainclick) regarding the death of one of San Diego's Lost Boys of Sudan, Anyoun Anyoun.
Towards the end of the NBC San Diego article I noticed the mentioning of an organization that is taking donations under the name of San Diego Lost Boys of Sudan Charitable Corporation which is run by a Karen Richards.
I learned that Richards had somewhat of a questionable reputation. She has never rendered financial statements of her organization(s). I was really surprised to see her "organization" mentioned in the article and even worse, the promoting of it.
I've always considered NBC a reputable source of information and was very surprised to see that the research made for this story is meager. I am not an expert and by simply doing searches on the internet I found that this so-called organization doesn't even have a website.
I also found out that Richards has had two or three other organizations in the last year and that this one mentioned in the article is only about one year old. After placing some calls I have also found out that many of the Lost Boys don't even like working with Richards due to her questionable ways. It is said by many that she takes the donations accrued and then somehow splits the money and "helps" two or three Lost Boys at the most; we believe these Lost Boys live in Coronado, but they might have moved. They, however, have no clue how she divides the money or what the total amount was. Of course, this is by word of mouth only, but I figured that it's enough to at the very least begin an investigation.
I have a good source that is willing to talk to you, as long as he/she remains anonymous...you'll see why once you talk to him/her. This source has revealed to me that Richards works or worked under a national umbrella non-profit organization. Records were found online and it was discovered that over 200 people have used this so called national non-profit organization for their own personal gain. A deeper look revealed that 65% of the accrued finances was used for overhead charges and such and that some employees even made $50-100k salaries! A CPA name was found in NY and once this person was called, he even fessed out to the "BS"...his words by the way.
Anabella
Solana Beach, California
U.S.A.
Towards the end of the NBC San Diego article I noticed the mentioning of an organization that is taking donations under the name of San Diego Lost Boys of Sudan Charitable Corporation which is run by a Karen Richards.
I learned that Richards had somewhat of a questionable reputation. She has never rendered financial statements of her organization(s). I was really surprised to see her "organization" mentioned in the article and even worse, the promoting of it.
I've always considered NBC a reputable source of information and was very surprised to see that the research made for this story is meager. I am not an expert and by simply doing searches on the internet I found that this so-called organization doesn't even have a website.
I also found out that Richards has had two or three other organizations in the last year and that this one mentioned in the article is only about one year old. After placing some calls I have also found out that many of the Lost Boys don't even like working with Richards due to her questionable ways. It is said by many that she takes the donations accrued and then somehow splits the money and "helps" two or three Lost Boys at the most; we believe these Lost Boys live in Coronado, but they might have moved. They, however, have no clue how she divides the money or what the total amount was. Of course, this is by word of mouth only, but I figured that it's enough to at the very least begin an investigation.
I have a good source that is willing to talk to you, as long as he/she remains anonymous...you'll see why once you talk to him/her. This source has revealed to me that Richards works or worked under a national umbrella non-profit organization. Records were found online and it was discovered that over 200 people have used this so called national non-profit organization for their own personal gain. A deeper look revealed that 65% of the accrued finances was used for overhead charges and such and that some employees even made $50-100k salaries! A CPA name was found in NY and once this person was called, he even fessed out to the "BS"...his words by the way.
Anabella
Solana Beach, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Jack
United States of AmericaLost Boys is legitimate, check your facts!
#2General Comment
Mon, November 05, 2012
I was disturbed by the allegations mentioned regarding the "Lost Boys" charity. Apparently, facts were not adequately checked. This organization files their form 990 with the IRS annually, no one receives compensation or has an expense account, and all funds raised are put to the purposes advertised. Anyone can look at the tax returns of any charitable corporation (a quick web "search" is all that is needed), and should always do so before believing what is reported in the media. Shame on you Anabella for not doing your homework before filing a report of this kind!
Mike B
San Diego,California,
Virgin Islands (US)
Facts about San Diego Lost Boys of Sudan Charity
#3
Tue, September 22, 2009
My name is Mike Bullock. I am one of the original founders of the San Diego Lost Boys of Sudan Charitable Corporation, which was incorporated in 2002. I have been the CFO/Treasure for the last two years. We file the required IRS documents each year and as such are in the public domain for anyones perusal. Of the donations we collect, more than 97% is used as grants to "lost boys" and a few other Sudanese that live in San Diego. No one in the corporation takes a salary, hence the very low admin costs. In a typical year, grants are made to more than 50 different individuals or families. These are facts that are part of the IRS filings and clearly dispute the speculation that Annabelle of Solana Beach wrote in report #260047. I have written and left phone messages with her in the past requesting the opportunity to show her these facts, but she has not responded.
As to the character assault upon Karen Richards. Karen is the president of the corporation and has been for the last four years. I have known Karen for well over ten years. When a group of us heard about the Lost Boys of Sudan on "Sixty Minutes" in January 2002, we wondered if there were any in San Diego. When we learned there were about 100 in San Diego, it turned out that Karen had been working with many of them soon after their arrival in 2001. Since that time, she has worked tirelessly devoting her time helping individuals in the many ways that are the stated objectives of the corporation, such as medical care, education and emergency needs. Karen has not received any salary or compensation from this corporation. In fact, she is one of the larger sources of donations for us. I believe Karen is a woman of exceptional integrity and is devoted to helping people in need. It is totally incongruous to imply that she has profited in any way other than the gratification from the work she has done and is doing with the Lost Boys of Sudan.
If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]. I am not an anonymous source.
