By AP/KWMU
Clayton, MO – The state of Missouri is suing a St. Louis charity that raffles off expensive homes for spinal cord research.
The suit accuses Gateway to a Cure of unlawful merchandising practices by raffling off luxury homes and cars but failing to deliver the prizes. It seeks to bar upcoming raffles and force the charity to refund ticket buyers their money.
Gateway to a Cure president Lou Sengheiser has acknowledged that the charity has struggled, but says it's doing honest work. In a satement, the charity said "while we feel it is unfortunate that matters have advanced to this stage, we recognize that the Attorney General has a responsibility to the citizens of Missouri to ensure that consumer matters are handled appropriately and in compliance with all laws."
Last month, the charity paid an undisclosed sum to the winner of a million-dollar "dream home" near Kansas City after failing to sell enough tickets to pay for the house.
Gateway to a Cure has yet to hold a drawing for a raffle that started more than two and a-half years ago for a home St. Charles home.