‘Stolen Valor:’ IRS revokes nonprofit status of organization

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – The IRS has automatically revoked the nonprofit status of Veteran Service Dogs Organization in Howell.

The automatic revocation was issued on May 15, 2024, and posted on the IRS.gov website on Aug. 12, 2024.

Automatic revocation happens to nonprofit organizations when the entity fails to file required tax documents for three consecutive years.

Veteran Service Dogs Organization has come under scrutiny following an Aug. 1, 6 News investigation that revealed Founder, President and Executive Director Kirk Lanam had embellished his military service record and rank as well as claimed educational attainment that could not be confirmed.

The IRS website only has one return from VSDO for 2019. A 2020 return, known as a 990, was filed on the Guidestar website, a nonprofit website that monitors charities. Guidestar’s website entry on the organization has been updated to reflect the automatic revocation of the nonprofit status of the group.

In late July, Lanam told 6 News his 990s were unavailable for public review because of a Microsoft software update that had locked him out of his computer systems. He told 6 News he was requesting the filing from the organization’s accountant.

Lanam has not yet provided those tax documents, as requested.

Federal law requires 990s to be available for review during regular business hours for any nonprofit organization with a tax-exempt status issued by the IRS. VSDO received its tax-exempt determination letter on May 10, 2019.

The determination letter and tax-exemption status allow individuals and businesses to make donations to organizations deductible on personal and business tax returns.

State records from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs VSDO was incorporated in Michigan July 20, 2018. Annual reports for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 were all filed with the state on July 27, 2022, when Lanam filed a change of address for the organization with LARA.

The Office of the Michigan Attorney General informed 6 News Veteran Service Dogs Organization was not a registered nonprofit with that office nor was it registered to solicit donations. Both registrations with the Office of the Attorney General are required under Michigan law. The top law enforcement office in the state told 6 News it was sending a letter to the organization to gain compliance with Michigan law.

Oceola Township officials told 6 News a zoning investigation had been initiated following an inquiry by 6 News Investigates Team members about as many as 11 dogs being housed in the warehouse facility that serves as the headquarters and training facility for the organization. The investigation was into an unlicensed kennel.

Lanam did not respond to a text message seeking comment about the revocation.

Read the ‘Stolen Valor’ Series

• ‘Stolen Valor’: Inside the Investigation
• What is ‘Stolen Valor’?
• Local veterans’ dog provider accused of ‘stolen valor’
• ‘Stolen Valor:’ Veterans react to ‘egregious’ embellishments
• ‘Stolen Valor:’ Michigan AG confirms action against veteran service dog group
• ‘Stolen Valor:’ AKC launches ‘formal investigation’ of veteran service dog organization leader
• ‘Stolen Valor:’ Questions & answers about impact of investigation
• ‘Stolen Valor:” Lanam ‘stepping away’ from organization
• ‘Stolen Valor:’ Oceola Twp. Zoning takes action

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