Hmong foundation accused in lawsuit

Minnesota state prosecutors want to shut down a non-profit group named after Hmong leader Gen. Vang Pao, saying it has violated state charities law.
Attorney general Mike Hatch has filed suit alleging the St. Paul-based Vang Pao foundation has been involved in questionable spending of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday.
Hmongs are originally from Laos and helped US soldiers during the war with the US.
The lawsuit alleged the foundation has operated since its inception in 2000 without a proper board of directors, has not properly recorded its finances and solicited donations without registering as a charity. The suit also alleged two of the general’s sons and one of his nephews control more thanUS$500,000 in two banks accounts, according to court records.
Lia Vang, identified in bank statements as the foundation’s vice president, said: If they don’t think we can do it, bring Hmong people together, shut it down and leave the Hmong problems to the state.

 

Category: Society