Here's a snippet of what I'm working on at the moment... An investigation into the monetary gains of The Atlantic Paranormal Society. Scary stuff! Soon there will be an article SOMEWHERE about this... Until then, though, I got tired of stringing along people who wanted to know what I was researching 
With a newfound interest in ghosts and hauntings, the paranormal investigation industry is booming. Wait, the INDUSTRY?
It may seem odd to think of paranormal investigation as an industry, especially since the most popular ghosthunting group in the United States claims, on their official web site, to have non-profit status.
The Atlantic Paranormal Society, stars of the hit television show "Ghost Hunters," are not, despite their claims, a non-profit organization, according to the Corporations Division of the Departmant of the Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Though, they do take donations through their web site.
Non-profit organization status is an important part of the business world in the United States. Non-profits are required, by law, to leave their financial records open to the public. This is a small version of the checks-and-balances system. Anytime a donor, or any interested member of the public, wants to know where donation money goes, they can simply ask and find out. Business, after all, is not based on trust, but on numbers.
Do you trust TAPS with your money?
If you can accept that TAPS falsely claimed non-profit status and still want to make a donation, you can, through their official web site. You wouldn't be alone. In one month of 2005 (from August to September), TAPS cleared nearly $700 in publicly announced donations. Whether this is the actual amount or not is open to speculation. However, their popularity has only grown since.
Where does the money go?
According to TAPS members, much of the money goes to equipment costs and travel expenses. TAPS also claims to participate in local charities. While this is a noble goal, it would be nicer if they had incorporated and gone about it legally, especially considering that without actual non-profit status, it is impossible for any member of the public to know where the money has truly gone.
What are we doing about it?
SAPS has filed complaints with the Attorney General of Rhode Island, the IRS, the Rhode Island Better Business Bureau, and the Rhode Island State Police, Division of Games.
Division of Games? What's that about?
TAPS, up until recently, had a raffle on their official web site. Each participant was asked to send in one dollar, along with their name, address, and whether or not they wanted the raffle item autographed.
In the state of Rhode Island, only non-profit organizations can hold raffles. They must obtain a permit in order to do so, and the raffles are regulated by law enforcement agencies to ensure that they are fair. Also, only individuals over the age of eighteen can participate in raffles. There is no space on the TAPS raffle entry form for age.
Does SAPS have some kind of TAPS vendetta?
No. We did not pick this particular trail. We were done with TAPS. However, questions and complaints from interested parties urged us to look at TAPS from a financial angle.
It is absolutely not illegal to take donations generally. SAPS has a donation button within our official site. However, we never claimed non-profit status. Non-profit, no matter what Grant Wilson writes, is not a term you toss around. "Non-profit organization" is a legal term that comes with specific responsibilities.
So you want to see the proof?
Stick around. We're searching for publishers for all this information. Every piece of information is backed by evidence. From exchanges between us and Grant Wilson, Jason Hawes, the Rhode Island Secretary of State's Office, and screenshots of TAPS' own official web site, you will be treated to all the information we have.
Thanks again for reading, and be sure to check back for more.
-- Alison Smith, SAPS Founder
With a newfound interest in ghosts and hauntings, the paranormal investigation industry is booming. Wait, the INDUSTRY?
It may seem odd to think of paranormal investigation as an industry, especially since the most popular ghosthunting group in the United States claims, on their official web site, to have non-profit status.
The Atlantic Paranormal Society, stars of the hit television show "Ghost Hunters," are not, despite their claims, a non-profit organization, according to the Corporations Division of the Departmant of the Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Though, they do take donations through their web site.
Non-profit organization status is an important part of the business world in the United States. Non-profits are required, by law, to leave their financial records open to the public. This is a small version of the checks-and-balances system. Anytime a donor, or any interested member of the public, wants to know where donation money goes, they can simply ask and find out. Business, after all, is not based on trust, but on numbers.
Do you trust TAPS with your money?
If you can accept that TAPS falsely claimed non-profit status and still want to make a donation, you can, through their official web site. You wouldn't be alone. In one month of 2005 (from August to September), TAPS cleared nearly $700 in publicly announced donations. Whether this is the actual amount or not is open to speculation. However, their popularity has only grown since.
Where does the money go?
According to TAPS members, much of the money goes to equipment costs and travel expenses. TAPS also claims to participate in local charities. While this is a noble goal, it would be nicer if they had incorporated and gone about it legally, especially considering that without actual non-profit status, it is impossible for any member of the public to know where the money has truly gone.
What are we doing about it?
SAPS has filed complaints with the Attorney General of Rhode Island, the IRS, the Rhode Island Better Business Bureau, and the Rhode Island State Police, Division of Games.
Division of Games? What's that about?
TAPS, up until recently, had a raffle on their official web site. Each participant was asked to send in one dollar, along with their name, address, and whether or not they wanted the raffle item autographed.
In the state of Rhode Island, only non-profit organizations can hold raffles. They must obtain a permit in order to do so, and the raffles are regulated by law enforcement agencies to ensure that they are fair. Also, only individuals over the age of eighteen can participate in raffles. There is no space on the TAPS raffle entry form for age.
Does SAPS have some kind of TAPS vendetta?
No. We did not pick this particular trail. We were done with TAPS. However, questions and complaints from interested parties urged us to look at TAPS from a financial angle.
It is absolutely not illegal to take donations generally. SAPS has a donation button within our official site. However, we never claimed non-profit status. Non-profit, no matter what Grant Wilson writes, is not a term you toss around. "Non-profit organization" is a legal term that comes with specific responsibilities.
So you want to see the proof?
Stick around. We're searching for publishers for all this information. Every piece of information is backed by evidence. From exchanges between us and Grant Wilson, Jason Hawes, the Rhode Island Secretary of State's Office, and screenshots of TAPS' own official web site, you will be treated to all the information we have.
Thanks again for reading, and be sure to check back for more.
-- Alison Smith, SAPS Founder
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