HOUSTON—They call your home, ready to pull on your heartstrings—telemarketers soliciting money for a police officer killed in the line of duty, or for better equipment and training for those who risk their lives to protect ours.
They’re known as “badge charities,” and on the surface, their cause appears to be noble. But the 11 News Defenders have discovered a backlash against one of these non-profit organizations which has its headquarters in Houston.
Every year, this charity takes in millions in donations, but spends just a fraction of that on supporting underfunded sheriff’s departments. Sheriffs across the country have also complained about the organization’s telemarketing efforts. They say telemarketers tell area citizens their donations will help their local Sheriff. But those same Sheriff’s insist their departments have never received a dime from the organization. In fact, many have urged their citizens to simply hang up the phone.
And one more thing, the charity is run by a husband and wife team, who pay themselves (and even a relative) fat salaries, and they even had another relative on the payroll.
