TUSTIN : Phony Charities to Face Tougher Times

The City Council has given preliminary approval to an ordinance that will make it harder for groups to solicit money locally for false or nonexisting charities.

By unanimous vote, the council last week approved an ordinance that would require groups seeking donations locally to give details about their organization to the public and specifically state if they comply with state law requiring periodic financial reports of their activities.

That information must be contained on a card available to donors for inspection. In addition, the ordinance would require the city to act within five days on a completed request or application for a solicitation permit.

The ordinance, intended to update city regulations reviewed for the last time in 1979, would also require groups soliciting money to say how much of the money would go to charity and how much would be used for operating expenses.

Officials said the ordinance would prevent unscrupulous people from going door to door or hanging out in shopping centers asking for donations. At the same time, it will help legitimate groups, they said.

Under current city regulations, groups seeking donations must first get a permit, which is free for nonprofit or charitable groups.

In a report to the council, Senior Planner Dana Ogdon said the city last reviewed its regulations on solicitation four years ago. James G. Rourke had determined that the regulations needed to be brought up to date to conform to state law.