THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 21, 1997 TAG: 9702210838
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: STAFFORD LENGTH: 48 lines
Investigators have seized boxes of records from a telemarketing company and two of its affiliates in an inquiry into alleged fund-raising fraud for slain police officers.
The investigation of Atlantic Telemarketing Inc. stemmed from complaints about Atlantic's solicitations for police organizations. The investigation includes two related groups, the Virginia Coalition of Police and Deputy Sheriffs and the Alexandria Association of Deputy Sheriffs.
Callers said they were collecting money for HEROES, a national group that helps the families of slain officers, and for local youth activities and other charitable causes. But Atlantic and the Alexandria deputies group gave no money to HEROES or the other charities, authorities said.
The Virginia Department of Consumer Services has received complaints from across the state about the practices, according to an affidavit.
No charges have been filed so far. The inquiry is being conducted by state police investigators and the sheriff's offices in Alexandria and Stafford County.
Representatives of the groups could not be reached Wednesday for comment.
``We would urge the public not to feel pressured when they receive telemarketer calls,'' said state police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell.
In Stafford County, more than 30 residents reported being phoned by Atlantic in December on behalf of the police coalition.
The callers told residents they were soliciting money for the Stafford sheriff's office for local law enforcement, local victims' rights groups and local battered women's and homeless shelters.
At least 30 residents agreed to give money, but the Stafford sheriff's office and the local charitable groups received no funds from the groups, authorities said.
In Alexandria, more than 20 residents were phoned by Atlantic on behalf of the Alexandria association, whose president is a deputy sheriff in Alexandria.
On Tuesday, investigators carried out seven search warrants, seizing documents, records and equipment at various locations.
Searches were conducted at the police coalition's offices in Arlington, Fairfax and Woodbridge, the Alexandria office of the deputies' group and at Atlantic's office, located in Woodbridge at one of the police coalition's sites.
KEYWORDS: TELEMARKETING FRAUD