The Washington state Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has filed a Consumer Protection Act complaint and will seek a temporary restraining order against Knowledge 4 Kids, otherwise known as Kures 4 Kids, and its operators, Michael and Amy Gannon.

The AGO alleges the Mill Creek couple uses numerous deceptive practices to entice consumers to donate money. Despite giving the impression donations will help children, the Gannons apply only a small percentage of donations to a charitable purpose. The rest goes into the Gannons’ pockets and other expenses such as paying employees.

Charitable donations typically increase during the holidays. The AGO is asking for an immediate restraining order to prevent the Gannons from scamming consumers during this peak giving time.

“This is the third time the Gannons have been involved in deceptive business practices,” said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “We’ll keep pursuing them until they stop scamming consumers.”

Overview of the Gannons’ business practices

The Gannons founded and lead the charitable organization Knowledge 4 Kids, or Kures 4 Kids (K4K). They claim to raise money to support families of children with disabilities and to support other charitable organizations.

K4K asks for donations at tables set up inside or outside grocery stores and other retail establishments. AGO investigators observed K4K solicitors telling potential donors they were volunteers even though they are paid a rate of $10 per hour. After collecting money, the solicitors meet the Gannons to count the money. The solicitors are then paid in cash from the donations.

To view the entire press release, including a detailed account of the violations, please visit the AGO website.