Over the last several months, NRL News has been reporting on the activities of a nationwide telemarketing campaign being conducted under the name "American Right to Life." The National Right to Life Committee's (NRLC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., has been barraged with phone calls from concerned members who have received telemarketing calls made by Capitol Communications on behalf of "American Right to Life," which is now registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as a federal political action committee.
After months of monitoring the group's financial reports with the Federal Election Commission, it became apparent that the vast majority of the pro-life resources raised were being paid to the recently formed telemarketing firm, Capitol Communications of Mesa, Arizona. In order to protect our membership and the general public, NRLC filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, claiming "unfair competition, fraud and deception" on the part of "American Right to Life." NRLC has requested that the court order "American Right to Life" to stop using that name or any similar name and to pay compensatory damages.
According to "American Right to Life's" FEC reports, as of October 14, 1998, "American Right to Life" had raised $619,700. A total of $504,516.58 had been paid to Capitol Communications, and "American Right to Life" still owed this telemarketing firm $103,680. Thus, $608,196.58, over 98% of the money raised in the name of "American Right to Life," had been paid to or was owed to the telemarketing firm.
Officially in existence since July 7, 1998, this "political action committee" had only distributed a grand total of $1,450 among seven candidates (one of whom won). This was less than one- half of 1% of their income as of October 14, 1998. Another $2,109.30 was reported as "in-kind" contributions to four candidates as of October 14, 1998. (One of these four won.) "In-kind" contributions are things of value given to candidates in lieu of money in this case, mailing lists. In response to the lawsuit NRLC filed, "American Right to Life's" attorney stated in a formal letter dated October 14, 1998, that "ARL has ceased prospect fundraising." However, a letter from its attorney dated October 27, 1998, stated that they "have advised [their] client that it may resume prospect telemarketing." NRLC's Washington headquarters is still receiving calls from members who are being telemarketed aggressively by " American Right to Life." From California to Vermont to Montana to New York to Minnesota, it appears that the telemarketing operation continues.
Pro-lifers who have received these telemarketing calls, and have been concerned enough to call the Washington headquarters, generally fall into one of the following three categories: 1. They felt confused by a call from "American Right to Life" and donated thinking they were giving to National Right to Life; 2. They felt pressured to give personal information, like a credit card or bank account number, to "American Right to Life" and later regretted it. 3. They felt that misrepresentations regarding National Right to Life were made during the telemarketing call from "American Right to Life." Anyone who receives a call from "American Right to Life" and has questions or concerns should call the law firm of NRLC General Counsel James Bopp, Jr., Esq., Bopp, Coleson, and Bostrom, at (812) 232-2434, and speak to Raeanna Moore.
Once again, National Right to Life urges pro-lifers everywhere to be extremely cautious if a call or letter is received from this group or any other group which isunfamiliar to you. We believe that National Right to Life is the only single-issue pro-life group in Washington with the organization, credibility, and means to defend life at all stages. That is why Fortune magazine listed NRLC in the top 10 most effective groups in Washington, ahead ofhundreds of other non-profits and businesses with farlarger budgets. Furthermore, we believe that your pro-life donations are most efficiently and effectively used when given to National Right to Life Committee and National Right to Life's state affiliates.