News/Events

Says, ‘donor education campaign will serve as one more great resource for Arkansans to ensure their hard-earned money is going to help those who actually need it’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced today the launch of Operation Donate with Honor, a sweeping new donor education campaign to help donors spot and avoid fundraising solicitations that falsely promise their donations will help veterans and service members. Operation Donate with Honor is a coordinated effort of by Arkansas and the other 49 states along with the Federal Trade Commission, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico.

“Arkansans always go above and beyond in supporting our military veterans and service members,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “We recognize the sacrifices they and their families have made on our behalf. But some people try to take advantage of Arkansans’ big hearts by posing as a legitimate charity, taking money and never turning it over to military service members. This new nationwide donor education campaign will serve as one more great resource for Arkansans to ensure their hard-earned money is going to help those who actually need it.”

Every year, grateful Americans repay the sacrifices made by those who serve in the U.S. armed forces with contributions to charities that promise to deliver needed help and services to veterans and service members. Most of these charities live up to fundraising promises, but a few attract donations by lying about help and support not actually delivered. In the process, they harm not only well-meaning donors, but also the many legitimate charities engaged in important and vital work on behalf of veterans and service members.

Operation Donate with Honor is an education campaign, offered in both English and Spanish, to help consumers recognize charitable solicitation fraud and identify legitimate charities. This includes a new video that highlights tips on how to research charities and giving wisely to veterans organizations.

Veterans fundraising fraud schemes target potential donors online, via telemarketing, direct mail and door-to-door contacts. The schemes falsely promise to help homeless and disabled veterans, provide veterans with employment counseling, mental health counseling or other assistance and to send care packages to deployed service members. Many of these schemes solicit nationwide.

This national education campaign is intended to help potential donors, regardless of where or how they choose to donate, learn how to spot fraudulent and deceptive solicitations and make sure contributions are used to benefit veterans and service members.

In 2015, Rutledge launched the first-ever Military and Veterans Initiative at the Attorney General’s office to assist active duty military service members, reservists, veterans and their families with consumer-related issues and many other collaborative efforts.

Says, ‘I am honored to have some of the brightest, young Americans join the office’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today welcomed 13 students from across the United States into the office internship program.

“Service-learning is a unique experience that is foundational to professional success,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Undergraduate and graduate students are exposed to educational opportunities through internships. I am honored to have some of the brightest, young Americans join the office for the summer.”

Matthew Beaver is a senior at Arkansas Tech University studying political science and criminal justice. Beaver is from Sherwood where he graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 2015.

Blythe Bull is a senior at Hendrix College studying music and politics. Bull is from New Iberia, Louisiana where she graduated from the Episcopal School of Acadiana in 2015.

Anna Cunningham is a junior at the University of Arkansas studying political science and communication. Cunningham is from DeWitt where she graduated from DeWitt High School in 2016.

VanKe’via Garner is a senior at Arkansas State University studying criminology and psychology. Garner is from Little Rock where she graduated from Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School in 2015.

Cody Gracie is a senior at Hendrix College studying neuroscience and philosophy. Gracie is from White Hall where he graduated from White Hall High School in 2015.

Tanner Harris is a senior at Lyon College studying English and business administration in management. Harris is from Brookland where he graduated from Brookland High School in 2015.

Austin Hawks is a senior at the University of Central Arkansas studying history. Hawks is from Batesville where he graduated from Southside High School in 2014.

Nia Jackson is a sophomore at Spelman College studying psychology and pre-law. Jackson is from Little Rock where she graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 2017.

Anna Lants is a senior at the University of Virginia studying English and philosophy. Lants is from Little Rock where she graduated from Pulaski Academy in 2015.

Rachel Mares is a junior at the University of Central Arkansas studying journalism. Mares is from Southaven, Mississippi where she graduated from DeSoto Central High School in Southaven in 2016.

Kenneth Prince is a senior at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff studying business finance. Prince is from Sandy Run, South Carolina where he graduated from Camden Military Academy, in Camden, South Carolina in 2014.

Elizabeth Strickland is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville studying journalism and political science. Strickland is from Little Rock where she graduated from Episcopal Collegiate School in 2017.

Katelynn Tyner is freshman at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville studying English. Tyner is from Cabot where she graduated from Cabot High School in 2018.

Says, ‘This decision by the Department of Labor is a win for small businesses and other job creators in Arkansas’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today released the following statement regarding the announcement that the U.S. Department of Labor has rescinded its 2016 Persuader Advice Exemption Rule.

"I led the charge of states against the proposed 2016 Persuader Rule because employers must have access to privileged legal advice, “said Attorney General Rutledge “This decision by the Department of Labor is a win for small businesses and other job creators in Arkansas and across the country. By overturning this burdensome proposal demonstrates the department's return to its mission and how it operated for half a century."

The Persuader Rule forced the disclosure of confidential information, communication and relationships between small businesses and their outside counsel in labor relations matters.

Attorney General Rutledge was vocal in her concern and opposition to this rule. Rutledge led a group of attorneys general in filing amicus briefs on this issue in two federal courts cases, including a case in Arkansas federal district court. Those briefs urged the judge to enjoin the rule. The attorneys general believed the rule would place undue burdens on small businesses, which would be singled out under the new rule. Arkansas also joined 12 other states in sending a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in 2016 and joined a 10-state coalition suing to invalidate the rule in federal court in Texas.