Attorney General Ellison wins settlement dissolving nonprofits used to deceive Minnesotans
Settlement also prevents nonprofits’ president from founding or leading nonprofits in the future and repays defrauded consumers
March 7, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a settlement, also known as a consent judgment, in Ramsey County District Court that permanently bans David Singleton, the president of five Minnesota nonprofits, from incorporating or serving as an officer or director of nonprofits in the future. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Ellison that accused Singleton of engaging in a deceptive pattern of behavior by founding or taking over nonprofits with governmental sounding names to sow confusion for his own profit. The lawsuit also alleges Singleton engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by claiming to provide legal services despite not being a licensed legal professional.
In addition to banning Singleton from incorporating or leading nonprofits, the settlement dissolves the five nonprofits named in the lawsuit and permanently bans Singleton and his for-profit from advertising that they can provide legal services of any kind. The settlement also requires Singleton to pay back the entire $5,000 that he took from a Minnesotan as payment for legal services he could not legally provide. Singleton will be liable for an additional $100,000 if he violates any terms of the settlement.
In January 2025, Attorney General Ellison sued Singleton, five Minnesota nonprofits for which Singleton serves as president and a for-profit legal consulting business owned by Singleton, seeking to end Singleton’s longstanding fraudulent and deceptive behavior. In his lawsuit, Attorney General Ellison alleged that Mr. Singleton wrongfully created the appearance that he and his nonprofit organizations are affiliated with government agencies. The five nonprofit organizations Singleton served as president of include the Minnesota Civilian Public Safety Commission Inc., League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, DWI Prevention Services Inc., Minnesota Police Reserve Officers Association (MPROA), and United Criminal Justice Reform Commission. None of these organizations are affiliated with the government.
Attorney General Ellison’s lawsuit accused Singleton of violations of the Consumer Fraud Act, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act, and of the Charitable Solicitation Act by using names, verbiage and images to create confusion of a government affiliation. Additionally, none of the five nonprofits met the minimum nonprofit statutory requirements including having annual board meetings, having at least three persons on the board, and maintaining financial records. The Attorney General’s Office further alleged that Singleton engaged in the unauthorized practice of law because he held himself out as being qualified to provide legal services for which he does not have a license.
“It is deeply disappointing when nonprofits are used to deceive, as this risks undermining public trust in charitable organizations generally,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Minnesotans are a kind and generous people, and I am committed to holding bad actors accountable when they take advantage of that generosity. The settlement we won today prevents Mr. Singleton from using nonprofits to abuse the trust of Minnesotans. Fear of trickery should never stand between Minnesotans and contributing to a cause they believe in.”
"My thanks go out to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the Nicollet County Attorney’s Office for bringing Singleton's behavior to my attention," added Ellison. “I encourage those with concerns about nonprofit organizations misusing resources or deceiving the public to file a complaint with my office.”
In Minnesota, the Attorney General, through the Charities Division, has civil enforcement authority over the state’s nonprofit corporation and charitable solicitation laws. The Attorney General also has statutory authority to enforce consumer protection laws and seek an injunction to enjoin the unauthorized practice of law. The Charities Division does not enforce criminal laws. Under state law, nonprofit executives owe fiduciary duties to act in the best interest of the charities that they serve, including putting the interests of the nonprofit above any personal financial interests. The Attorney General’s Office provides additional information about these fiduciary duties, as well as other resources to help nonprofit leaders properly serve their organizations, on its website.
The public may submit complaints to the Attorney General about nonprofit directors and officers putting their own interests before the charity’s interests. Complaints may be submitted by using a form on the Attorney General’s website. The Attorney General’s Office can also be contacted by phone at (651) 296-3353 (Metro area), (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota), or (800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay).
