LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said she's reached a settlement with Conway-based USA Publishing over allegations of deceptive practices.
The attorney general alleged the company and its owners, William and Kathleen Parker, solicited funds from Arkansas donors on behalf of New Jersey-based National Police Defense Foundation.
Arkansans were told the contributions would benefit the state's emergency responders. But a lawsuit alleged the foundation contributed only $500 of the $231,004 it raised in the state to charitable purposes. The bulk of the money went to USA Publishing.
In a consent decree filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court on Tuesday, the organization agreed to pay $121,000 to be distributed as reimbursement to Arkansas donors. USA Publishing will pay another $50,000 in civil penalties and cease all operations and professional fundraising activities in Arkansas.