Sec. Cox Issues Cease and Desist Order and Suspends Permit of Augusta Charitable Solicitation Company

ATLANTA…Secretary of State Cathy Cox has announced that a cease and desist order and permit suspension has been issued for an Augusta-based paid solicitor for failing to disclose required information while requesting donations for a Georgia charity, among other violations.

The order alleges that Program Services, LLC d/b/a Civic Development Group, a registered paid solicitor with offices located at 2531 Center West Parkway, Suite 230 in Augusta, employed unregistered solicitor agents who failed to properly identify themselves as paid employees when contacting individuals for charitable contributions.  Paid solicitation companies are retained by charitable organizations to run fundraising campaigns and are required under the Georgia Charitable Solicitations Act of 1988, as amended, to inform citizens of their location and status as employees of a paid solicitor rather than volunteers.  In addition to the cease and desist order, Program Services also received a civil penalty of $25,000.  A hearing has been scheduled with the Secretary of State’s office for 9:00 a.m. on December 30, 2003, to review evidence and finalize the order.   

"Georgians must be provided with detailed information when they receive a solicitation, and we expect solicitors to fully comply with registration and disclosure requirements,” Cox said. "This case sends the clear message that companies must fully disclose their activities to citizens or our office will take swift action to suspend their operations," she added.

The Secretary of State’s cease and desist order requires an immediate halt to solicitations by Program Services.