By Police1 Staff
FARMINGTON, Mo. — A man is facing a lawsuit after allegedly misleading donors who thought he was raising money for a non-profit memorial to honor fallen officers.
Attorney General Josh Hawley told KFVS that Terry Lemons told donors he was raising money for the memorial under the name “Thin Blue Line Tahoe,” claiming it was a non-profit.
The state’s attorney general’s office filed a lawsuit against Lemons, stating he told donors he was creating a “traveling” memorial, The Daily Journal Online reported.
Lemons used the money to make his personal car resemble a patrol vehicle, complete with radar equipment, a shotgun, emergency lights and a computer. According to the news station, he allegedly spent the rest of the money at bars, restaurants and on a match.com account.
Lemons claims his personal vehicle is the memorial he promised to donors and names of fallen police and K-9 officers are listed on the hood and rear doors, the publication reported.
The AG’s office claims Lemons does not display the vehicle as a memorial, but instead uses it for personal transportation.
According to court documents, Thin Blue Line Tahoe is not an official nonprofit corporation and there is no nonprofit that accepts donations on Lemons’ behalf. The documents also state that Lemons failed to register with the attorney general’s office prior to soliciting funds for charity, did not keep record of those funds and claimed the donations were tax-deductible when they weren’t.
“We will aggressively pursue those who take advantage of Missourians generosity, especially when they dishonor law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities,” Hawley said.
https://www.facebook.com/Thinbluelinetahoe/videos/1229768330454793/