Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Councilman Hutson has not registered charity

East Valley Tribune Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale: "Councilman Hutson hasn�t registered charity
By Dennis Welch, Tribune
For 20 years, a charitable organization founded and led by Tempe City Councilman Johnny G. 'Hut' Hutson has been soliciting money from the public without registering with the state as required by law.

Since starting the Friends of Tempe Butte in 1985, neither Hutson nor anyone associated with the organization has registered the group as a charity, the Tribune found.

Gene Palma, director of business services at the Arizona S ecretary of State�s Office, said charitable groups must register each year with his office and provide an annual financial report.

Failing to do so is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

'I�ve been doing this for a long time and no one ever said anything to me about this,' Hutson said. 'I took this over at the request of the City Council.' "

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