Settlement Reached In Law Enforcement Nonprofit Lawsuit

A settlement was reached in a lawsuit Tuesday, setting the stage for a Texas law enforcement nonprofit's assets to be liquidated.

The Austin American-Statesman reported that the lawsuit, which was first filed in December 2011, alleged that the Texas Highway Patrol Association (THPA) in Austin defrauded consumers and misused contributions. Specifically, the group was accused of illegally soliciting charitable donations, and falsely claiming that they would be used to benefit the families of fallen state troopers.

A state investigation alleged that few individuals received this assistance, and that the THPA used up to $10,000 in donations a day to buy tickets to amusement parks, movie theaters, and to pay for airfare.

After the lawsuit was filed, Travis County Probate Judge Guy Herman ordered the organizations assets frozen at $490,000. Now, as part of the settlement, the assets at THPA and a museum it operates in San Antonio will be liquidated. The proceeds from the sales will go to the family members who claimed to have never received the financial assistance they were promised.

The settlement also fines THPA up to $2 million and forbids several of the nonprofit's leaders, including former state Rep. Lane Denton (D-Waco), from being involved with nonprofit or for-profit related to law enforcement.

You can read the full story in The Austin American-Statesman.