FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has filed a lawsuit in Allen County Circuit Court against a group of Fort Wayne residents who have acted together to form nonprofit organizations falsely claiming to benefit veterans. The organizations include Sandbox Veterans of America Incorporated, Catholic Veterans of Indiana Limited, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Incorporated.

Since June 2011, these organizations have been soliciting Indiana consumers for charitable contributions to support war veterans without donating the contributions as represented.

“Our military veterans are among the most deserving of support and assistance,” Zoeller said. “It is shameful that groups would pose as nonprofits benefiting veterans and deceive consumers into donating. This is an egregious violation of the public’s trust.”

According to the complaint, in July of 2013, defendants were soliciting roadside donations in Fort Wayne with signs asking people to “Support Catholic Vets.” Defendants falsely represented to the public that they would give funds to John Peck, a United States Marine who was injured in Iraq.