Moody joins U.S., other states in suit against cancer foundation for alleged funds misuse

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with the Federal Trade Commission and agencies from nine other states, announced legal action Monday against Cancer Recovery Foundation International and President Gregory B. Anderson for allegedly not directing cancer funds to patients.

“The defendants in this case exploited that generosity to solicit millions of dollars in donations that were never allocated as promised,” Moody said in an announcement. “We are taking action to prevent the charity from deceiving donors and recover money for cancer patients.”

According to Moody’s office, Cancer Recover Foundation International, or CRFI, claimed 50% of its cancer funds went to support women in “treatment and recovery overcome their financial difficulties.”

Donations also were purportedly intended specifically to provide to assistance for utility bills, rent and food.

However, an investigation into the foundation revealed only about a penny to every dollar went to supporting cancer patients. It also claims the organization knew of the scheme and instead used the contributions to pay professional fundraisers and Anderson’s salary.

Moody asserted of the $18.25 million donated to CRFI from 2017-2022, $194,809, or roughly 1%, went to women fighting cancer. The suit also claimed that the group allotted more than $775,000, or 4.2%, to Anderson over the same time.

In addition, Cancer Recovery Foundation International operated and solicited donations using the name Women’s Cancer Fund, the suit said.

Moody was joined in her lawsuit by attorneys general of California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin; along with the Secretary of State of Maryland and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.

“Cancer is a terrible disease that affects millions of Americans nationwide,” Moody said. “Generous Floridians make financial contributions to help those fighting for their lives.”