‘Stolen Valor:’ Michigan AG confirms action against veteran service dog group

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A Livingston County non-profit organization that provides service dogs to veterans is not in compliance with Michigan laws related to soliciting donations, the Office of the Michigan Attorney General confirmed by email Friday afternoon.

Veteran Service Dogs Organization did not appear in a review of the state’s database of registered charitable organizations . The 6 News Investigates Team reached out to officials from the Attorney General’s office to confirm those findings, and to explain Michigan laws related to charitable organizations.

“A charitable organization operating in Michigan must be registered with the state (via our department), and separately register (also with our Dept.) to solicit donations in the State.  This solicitation registration is required for charitable organizations soliciting donations from people in the State of Michigan whether the charity itself is based in Michigan or out-of-state,” Danny Wimmer, spokesman for the Office of the Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, wrote in an email to 6 News.

The inquiry was part of an ongoing investigation by the 6 News Investigates Team that has so far found the organization’s leader, Kirk A. Lanam has embellished his military record and rank and claimed educational achievements that are not verifiable via public records.

“The organization you have inquired about is not registered in either capacity, to operate a Charity nor to solicit,” Wimmer wrote. “We will be authoring a letter to them, informing them of this requirement and directing them to register or submit a request for exemption.  If they fail to come into compliance, we may take administrative or civil action.  The penalties for violating the act requiring donation solicitation registration include a civil fine of up to a $10,000.00 for each violation and up to five years in prison for certain intentional violations.”

VSDO was founded by Kirk A. Lanam in 2018 state business records reveal. The organization obtained its non-profit designation from the IRS in 2019.

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