State wants info on Girard-based solicitations

May 18, 2012 at 11:06a.m.

COLUMBUS

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine wants anyone who worked for PJG Enterprises or is familiar with the activities of the charities they represented, or who may have received a call from the Girard-based PJG Enterprises to call his office’s Charitable Law Section at 1-800-282-0515.

Lawyers for DeWine had a temporary restraining order extended last week in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court against Paul Grossi and his PJG Enterprises, which was raising money for The American Breast Cancer Federation and The American Veterans Federation. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for July 27. Most of the bank accounts associated with the business and the charities have been frozen and the court’s action requires soliciting activities with the firm and the charities to stop until the next hearing.

Among other things, investigators found that the addresses claimed for these charitable organizations was a house on 53 North Brockway Ave. in Youngstown, the same as the residential addresses claimed by officers of the two charities and Paul Grossi. All of those individuals are included in the court’s actions.

Grossi has also been charged in Girard Municipal Court with intimidation of a crime victim and soliciting following a complaint of an employee of PJG Enterprises and a Girard Police Department investigation.

DeWine reminds potential donors that when they receive calls seeking a donation to ask questions about who is calling and what their connection is to the specific charity. Professional solicitors, who are paid by charities to solicit on their behalf, must provide basic information about the charity and its location, in addition to their own name, their status as a professional solicitor and, if requested, the percentage of gross revenue that will be retained by the charity.

Warning signs include overly aggressive or pushy tactics, callers who are unable or unwilling to answer questions, callers who offer to come pick up contributions, or callers who suggest there are prizes awarded for contributions. At any point during a call, consumers are encouraged to hang up if they feel uncomfortable.

For more information on charitable donations, or to file a complaint, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov