State AG Says Local Fundraiser Not in Compliance

November 5, 2013 |

In a letter made public yesterday, the California Attorney General's office said that an Elk Grove-based event planner was not in compliance with statutes regulation charitable fundraising.

The ruling stems from a May charitable fundraising event organized by Brick Events owner Brian Detrick. At the time of the event Elk Grove community activist Connie Conley contacted the organizers informing them that Detrick, son of Elk Grove Vice Mayor Steve Detrick, did not properly register with the state as a charitable fundraiser.

The organizers of the May event said they would no longer do business with Brick resulting in Detrick filing a civil suit against Conley seeking damages for economic interference and defamation. Conley subsequently filed a so-called anti-SLAPP suit against Detrick claiming he was trying to suppress public participation and limit her free speech rights on the matter.

Yesterday's release said "Based on information reviewed by the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts, the captioned organization [Brick Events] is providing services in California as a Commercial Fundraiser for Charitable Purposes, as defined in Government Code section 12599. All such fundraising professionals are required to register and file annual financial reports with the Registry."

At the core of Conley's inquiries regarding the May event was her assertion that Detrick was not properly registered to conduct charitable fundraising.

See the letter below.