Connecticut Attorney General's Office
Press Release
Attorney General Seeks Recovery Of More Than $500,000 Apparently Illegally Diverted From State Specialty License Plate Accounts
October 7, 2009
Blumenthal said in a letter today to Gov. M. Jodi Rell that transferring specialty license plate moneys into General Fund would violate state laws requiring donations be spent for the promised purpose. Motorists who obtain the specialty license plates pay an extra amount to benefit a specific cause.
The letter asks the governor for a full accounting of the funds and states that any moneys illegally transferred must be returned.
Blumenthal said that at least $500,000 has apparently been illegally removed from two of the funds, the Wildlife Conservation Account and the Animal Population Control Account. He asked whether moneys were also illegally diverted from specialty license plate accounts for: Amistad; Cure Kids Cancer; Greenways, Keep Kids Safe; Celebrate Nursing; Olympic Spirit; Support Our Troops; and United We Stand.
"Usurping donor intent after the state solicits and receives such contributions is forbidden by constitutional law, fairness and common sense," Blumenthal said. "The law requires charitable donations be expended for the causes the donor intended to support, making illegal any transfer to the General Fund.
"The Constitution forbids the governor and the legislature from any transfers contrary to donor intent. More than $500,000 -- the number could be millions -- has apparently already been illegally diverted in violation of the law and the state's promise that donations would support a specific cause.
"I am seeking a full and fair accounting of 10 specialty license funds and demand return of any illegally transferred funds. The law requires the state -- like any charitable solicitor -- to keep its word to donors. Motorists agreed to pay extra to support great causes -- as varied as finding a cure for childhood cancer and supporting our troops. They expect and deserve to see their hard-earned dollars spent for those causes. I will fight to assure that the state keeps its commitments to the constitution and to motorists choosing to support a cause through a specialty license plate."
Blumenthal recently informed the governor and the General Assembly that transferring funds from the Save the Sound license plate fund was illegal, prompting return of the money and restoration of the program.