world-economy

California Court Orders Kars4Kids to Disclose Nonprofit Ties in Advertising

An Orange County Superior Court judge has banned Kars4Kids advertisements in California for failing to disclose the charity's affiliation to a Jewish nonprofit based in the Northeast. Judge Gassia Apkarian ruled that the ads violate state consumer protection laws. The widely-recognized jingle misleads donors about where proceeds are directed. Oorah, an Orthodox Jewish nonprofit based in New Jersey, receives most donations from the used-car charity. Oorah operates youth programming including summer camps, matchmaking services and international trips. California resident Bruce Puterbaugh sued after donating a 2001 Volvo, believing funds would aid local children in need. He testified he learned of the affiliation only through conversation, not the charity's website. Kars4Kids has 30 days to remove the advertisements or revise them with complete disclosure of organizational relationships.