Clinic President Must Forfeit $2 Million In Funds Used for Personal Benefit

After theft and fraud convictions, Court orders repayment of money received for excessive rent, renovations, and theft

The former board president of a nonprofit mental health clinic in Philadelphia has been ordered by a federal District Court to forfeit $2,041,750 in funds she improperly acquired from the Clinic for her personal benefit.  She had previously been convicted on 53 counts of fraud, theft and false statements on tax returns for her various schemes.

Renee Tartaglione became the president of the Juniata Community Mental Health Clinic and engineered an elaborate scheme to siphon funds from the agency, which is spelled out in detail in the Court’s opinion.

Community center not liable for thief’s joy ride

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has refused to impose liability upon a community center for injuries suffered by individuals in an accident caused by the driver of a van stolen from the center’s parking lot. The Court has found that the center had no duty to those injured.

Day care center denied real estate tax exemption

A child day care center providing pre-school, HeadStart, and after school programming has been denied real estate tax exemption in Pennsylvania.  The Commonwealth Court has affirmed a trial court decision concluding that the 501(c)(3) organization should be subject to tax because its costs are fully covered by tuition payments and governmental subsidies, rather than private fundraising.

Volunteers at church restaurant not under FLSA

Unpaid members of a church who volunteer to help staff a church restaurant without the expectation of being paid are not considered employees subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.  The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a trial court decision ordering the church to pay more than $388,000 in damages.

Developer denied deduction for easement on park

The Tax Court has upheld an IRS denial of a charitable contribution deduction for a developer’s grant of a conservation easement on 125 acres it planned for a public park adjacent to its planned unit development.  The developer had claimed a deduction of $1,798,000 for the easement.

Impecunious Donor Ordered To Fulfill $400,000 Pledge

Court grants judgment when donor says it is unable to make payments over five years

The Appalachian Bible College in West Virginia has won an unopposed judgment in its suit to enforce a $400,000 pledge from a corporate donor. The donor had said it was financially unable to meet the commitment.