On The Defensive: Charity At Center Of Kenya Moore Scandal Declares It Will Reclaim Tax-Exempt Status
Feb. 21 2014, Published 5:19 p.m. ET
After RadarOnline.com exclusively learned that the charity organization Kenya Moore featured on Real Housewives of Atlanta recently had their tax-exempt status revoked by the IRS for withholding information about their finances, the organization has come forward to defend itself.
“As of December 2013, the non-profit organization Saving Our Daughters has been engaged with the IRS and has re-submitted for its 501-C-3. It is expected that they will be reinstated in mid–year of 2014 and continue its programing causes for young girls in 2014,” Saving Our Daughters founder Curtis Benjamin told RadarOnline.com in a statement.
Benjamin goes on to explain that in 2009, his youngest daughter was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and his “time and energy was solely dedicated” to his daughter until her untimely death in 2011, one month before her 13th birthday.
Faked Scenes, Lies & Payoffs – The Ultimate Guide To Reality TV Shows
“During these unfortunate times, Curtis disengaged in any organizations’ duties and in the meantime, the organization unfortunately lost its tax-exempt status.
- Fired: Kenya Moore is NOT Returning to ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Season 16 After Oral Sex Poster Scandal
- Divorce Settlement: Kenya Moore and Marc Daly Ordered Not to Trash-Talk Each Other in Front of Daughter After Reality Star's 'RHOA' Suspension
- Kenya Moore’s Whopping 90k Per Month Salary Revealed in Divorce Documents as She Continues Suspension From 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
"After grieving his daughter’s death and wanting to fulfill his promise to continue to help young girls, Curtis resumed his duties and passion for Saving Our Daughters,” the statement said.
As we previously reported, according to tax documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Saving Our Daughters has not filed a tax return since 2009.
And even when the charity did file tax returns, the information was concerning: In 2009, the charity used just $10,000 of their $108,233 revenue for grants. The head of the charity, Benjamin, awarded himself a salary that was more than three times that. And the year before, they donated just $10,500 out of $84,874.
This news comes just days after the Founder and CEO of Saving Our Daughters, released a lengthy statement claiming the charity never received any money from Moore’s Masquerade Ball, which was featured on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Moore challenged the claims, saying she has checks and text messages that appear to prove she did in fact make a donation to the charity.