This is my post on Ripoffreport.com, recorded December 28, 2008.  This post  documents my whistleblower actions and gonzo investigations in 2007-2008, as well as my prediction that CDG would be closing more offices. Many CDG employees were aware of this report in 2008

Civic Development Group is America's largest professional telemarketing fund-raiser for non-profit organizations including, but not limited to: Fraternal Order of Police, The International Union of Police Association (IUPA), Several State Trooper Organizations, The California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS), Keystone Paralyzed Veterans, Disabled Veterans Associations, The Cancer Survivors Fund and hundreds more. Unfortunately, CDG keeps the overwhelming majority, usually about 80%, of the funds raised on behalf of these non-profit groups. CDG is a for profit solicitor with over 60 fundraising centers throughout the US and Canada.

I have a long history with Civic Development Group, first as an employee, then as a whistle blower. I put up a website to inform the public about the practice of unethical solicitation in the name of charity. CDG sued me for exposing the truth about their whole racket. Unable to afford an attorney, I defended myself and won the case. (Civic Development Group v John Paul Schaffer) Last year, I was working at CDG, undercover (gonzo style) to investigate recent misleading fundraising reports. Given my history with CDG, I am very familiar with many unethical and allegedly illegal solicitation techniques used by CDG to raise funds for hundreds of non-profit groups. The FTC and several State Attorney Generals have taken CDG to court for their actions. CDG usually agrees to pay large fees to resolve the complaint without admitting wrong-doing. However, the most recent case against CDG is different.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Civic Development Group has violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule of the USA Patriot Act. If you think you have been scammed, you may be entitled to compensation for "crimes against charitable Americans". There could be class action suit against CDG, in which money would be either returned to donors or redistributed to worthwhile charitable organizations. In a similar case, VT Attorney General William Sorrell won a $400,000 settlement against CDG. I suspect the next civil suit will cost CDG more than ten times that amount.

Warning to CDG employees: Civic Development Group may be closing more offices as the FTC prosecutes them for "crimes against charitable Americans".
CDG co-owner David Keezer's wife, Lori, has listed their 4.3 million dollar mansion for sale. She has also purchased a 7.3 million dolllar mansion in Boca Raton, Fl. An expert white-collar crime attorney has mentioned this move could be connected to a future bankruptcy claim. Florida bankruptcy laws could allow the Keezers to keep the Florida home. This is quite probable, as all signs point to the end of the road for CDG. To learn more, google Civic Development Group and John Paul Schaffer.

CDG Whistleblower
Parkersburg, West Virginia
U.S.A.