Mercer County Horse Rescue Charity Stole $344K: Authorities

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A horse charity rescue in Mercer County has shut down permanently after its founder was accused of accepting more than $340,000 in contributions in violation of state law, authorities announced on Monday.

Dina Alborano, of Hamilton, launched the "I Care I Help" thoroughbred rescue organization in order to raise money to save former racehorses from going to the slaughterhouse. However, it was never registered with the state Division of Consumer Affairs as required by law, and between November 2017 and December 2018, Alborano kept $344,290 in donations in personal accounts she had with a man she lives with, authorities said.

In 2018, I Care I Help accepted more than $330,000 in donations via PayPal and personal checks, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs. In 2017, the organization took in $12,000. Some of that money was used for purposes other than charity, authorities said. All charities that raise more than $10,000 in a year must be registered, authorities said.

“So many charities in New Jersey do incredible work to serve good causes,” Grewal said. “Unfortunately, a small number of bad actors exploit donors’ good intentions in order to pocket charitable contributions for themselves. Our Division of Consumer Affairs enforces our charities laws to give potential donors confidence that their donations will be used as advertised, so that donors can give to charitable organizations generously and confidently.”

“Donors were led to believe that the money they contributed to I Care I Help would be used to purchase thoroughbred horses bound for the slaughterhouse and pay for the animals’ care while they awaited adoption into permanent homes,” Acting Division of Consumer Affairs Director Howard Pine said. “Instead, donor funds were funneled into bank accounts controlled by Alborano and an acquaintance and it’s unclear from the records kept just how much of that money was actually used for rescuing horses.”

As part of the settlement, Alborano agreed to pay civil penalties of $5,000. She told authorities that I Care I Help had about $17,000 when it was shut down, and that all that money has been donated to a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Alborano is also permanently barred from holding a leadership position within, or soliciting contributions for, any New Jersey charity.

Requiring charities to register provides the Division of Consumer Affairs with the ability to monitor that charities are conducting business in compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations, authorities said. Registration also provides consumers with information that will help them make educated decisions regarding their charitable donations.

Consumers can seek information about a charity from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Visit the Division's Charities Registration page; call the Division's Charities Hotline at 973-504-6215 during regular business hours; or use the Division's free "New Jersey Charity Search" smartphone app. Charitable organizations that have failed to register may not appear in the Division’s records.

Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious solicitations to their local police and to the Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or file a complaint on the Division’s website