The state of Virginia has warned consumers that the Journey for the Cure Foundation, based in Hume in Fauquier County, has not complied with the law that requires groups to register with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services before soliciting charitable funds. The charity has been under investigation since March. Horseman and winemaker Tareq Salahi is on the foundation’s board of directors. He also owns the currently closed Oasis Winery, also in Hume, and with his wife, Michaele, runs the Land Rover America’s Polo Cup, which debuted in 2007.
As reported first in the Fauquier Times-Democrat, the foundation submitted a registration form in October but didn't submit the required paperwork to go along with it, according to Mike Wright, manager of regulatory programs for Consumer Services. Also, the foundation failed to provide its financial records, bylaws, information about fund-raising contracts, and related materials, Wright said. After requesting the information several times, Wright notified Salahi and other board members via e-mail on April 20 that the organization was not registered to solicit in Virginia. He informed the recipients in the e-mail that a warning letter would be written against the foundation.
Most organizations comply once a warning has been issued. Failure to register can result in civil or criminal penalties, Wright said. Perpetrators can face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. Calls today to both the winery and charity revealed full voice mailboxes.
