South MS dog rescue stripped of charity status. Here’s what state, owner said
A Lucedale-based dog rescue has been stripped of its charitable status by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office after investigators flagged more than $20,000 in questionable spending. The group’s owner disputes the findings and says she is working to resolve the matter.
FULL STORY: South MS dog rescue group stripped of charity status over questionable payments
Here are key takeaways:
- The Charities Division found North Star Rescue Inc. misspent $20,207 at businesses including Xhale Smoke Shop, GameStop, Roblox, Lash Studio and Micro Wrestling, according to a cease and desist order.
- Secretary of State Michael Watson revoked the group’s charitable status, dissolved the business entity and ordered it to stop collecting donations, repay misspent funds and pay a $5,000 fine.
- Owner and president Amanda “Mandee” McClain disputes the state’s findings, telling the Sun Herald by email that the group is working through the issue after “a nasty break up with our secretary who handled everything.”
- North Star’s Facebook page and website were still active Monday with options to donate, and the IRS still lists the group as a public charity, meaning contributions could be tax-deductible.
- A Facebook post said items flagged by the state were purchased for raffles to fund dogs’ medical care, and the group has requested an administrative hearing allowed under the cease and desist order.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
Anita Lee
Sun Herald