Feds Raid Portland Charity That Sponsors Kids in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan
Willamette Weekly Online / James Pitkin
18-Jul-2008 (17 comments)

A charity set up to sponsor poor children in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Indonesia and the United States had its computers seized by federal agents in a raid Tuesday on its downtown Portland office.

The web site for the charity, Child Foundation, says it was founded in 1994 and has a five-member board of directors. All the directors have Iranian names and their web site bios say they live in Portland, Seattle, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indonesia.

The raid occurred on Tuesday morning in the charity's office on the fifth floor of the Terminal Sales Building at 1220 SW Morrison St, says a witness who was in the building on an unrelated matter. The witness saw men with shirts marked "federal agent" hauling computers out of the office.

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Niki Tehranchi

Iranian charity Child Foundation raided by FBI

by Niki Tehranchi on Fri Jul 18, 2008 06:35 PM PDT

I remember attending their fundraiser in O.C. a few years back. Then CNN anchor Rudi Bakhtiar and Dr. Holokouee were guest speakers.  Rudi even conducted the auction. They had videos of the kids in Iran who were able to go to college thanks to the sponsors. Sad. 


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Child Foundation is Operational and Active

by naser (not verified) on Thu Jul 24, 2008 03:46 PM PDT

I am not sure where all the stories have come from. Child Foundation is operational and active. Call them and find out for yourself. There is no wrong doing. It has been a financial audit investigation for Child Foundation. This is normal for any charity dealing with the middle east. These people have been under independent audits for many years and have assured me that this audit will also pass with flying colors. Please do not accuse people before the facts are known, call and find out 503-698-4084.


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praoofi

Press Release for Child Foundation

by praoofi on Thu Jul 24, 2008 03:51 PM PDT

Child Foundation is a charity headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that helps children living in poverty to remain in school. The children sponsored through its programs are high achievers, and many of the children it assists are orphans or children living in emergency situations in the United States, Iran, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. By enhancing the quality of life for children in need, as well as their respective families, Child Foundation actively helps them gain access to education. During its fiscal year 2007, Child Foundation raised approximately $1.6 million in donations for sponsorship of about 3,500 children.

On Tuesday, July 15, 2008, Child Foundation became aware of a U.S. government investigation whose focus includes Child Foundation's operations. Child Foundation has strived to comply with U.S. laws that limit aid to Iran but permit food and medicine to be sent for humanitarian purposes.  Child Foundation believes that all of its current programs are in compliance with U.S. law.  It is cooperating fully with government investigators.  Child Foundation is fully operational and active at this time. July 23, 2008

Taken from Child Foundation official website:

//www.childfoundation.org/AboutUs/USGovernmentInquiries/tabid/899/Default.aspx

Posted by: Peyman Raoofi CF Los Angeles Volunteer


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Niki Tehranchi

Thank you arya roshan

by Niki Tehranchi on Thu Jul 24, 2008 03:30 AM PDT

If possible, please state and make available your source and I will post it as a news item or in a separate blog.  A lot of people care about this issue.


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They have been cleared,

by Arya Roshan (not verified) on Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:56 PM PDT

They have been cleared, computers are returned back and they are doing usual business as before. Another
verification for their good work:)


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K Nassery

I am not going to remove my mistake here.

by K Nassery on Sat Jul 19, 2008 03:41 PM PDT

Niki is upset that I made an error in a google search and I have apologized in JJ's blog and here.  I am sorry for the error.

I hope people actually read what we have written here rather than accept Niki's condemnation at JJ's because it's clear that people reacted to my error and that the only person here responsible if me. 

I feel badly that others have been maligned by their reactions to my mistake.  Sorry...so sorry...

K


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K Nassery

video does work

by K Nassery on Sat Jul 19, 2008 02:41 PM PDT

//www.kgw.com/video/video-index.html?nvid=264862

 The feds told the workers in the building that there was no danger.  The doctor who runs the place had his home raided.  Maybe, it has something to do with the fantastic home that doctor has.


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K Nassery

mistake

by K Nassery on Sat Jul 19, 2008 04:02 PM PDT

mistake....


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K Nassery

my mistake....

by K Nassery on Sat Jul 19, 2008 01:45 PM PDT

I googled "Iranian Charity raided" and it linked to that article... I didn't notice the date.

Sorry... I made an error.... 


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Is this ?

by Anonymous quest (not verified) on Sat Jul 19, 2008 01:45 PM PDT

There was one which had fund-raising few months ago for iranian children (in oregon or calif?) and had a piece on this site too. A lady commenter said she went to the fund-raising and sponsered a child there.

My question is: is this the same organization?

Why are we "iranians" such crooks even when it comes to helping the helpless back home?


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Holy crap. I've been

by skatermom (not verified) on Sat Jul 19, 2008 01:42 PM PDT

Holy crap. I've been donating to this charity religiously every month for 7 years and have sponsored 3 girls. I receive letters and cards from them every couple of months with a well documented letter from the department of social services in Iran updating their well being and report card records. I find it hard to believe that the Child Foundation is contributing to Hamas. There pretty meticulous with monthly updates and tax id stuff, newsletters etc...I'm thinking that this is another example of the Patriot Act going ballistic once again. I'll continue to donate. If anything just to annoy the feds.


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K Nassery

We don't know if they did that...

by K Nassery on Sat Jul 19, 2008 01:36 PM PDT

They put it on their tax forms, but maybe they sent some to other places.  It will all come out though...

I remember sending money through the international red cross for the Baam people in Iran.  At the time, I researched who to give it to and my husband decided the Red Cross/Red Crescent... was the best bet.  We sent money to India for the tsunami through our local mosque run by a physician that we knew.  You have to be careful these days.  I trust our local people.

 

 


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Niki Tehranchi

2 different charities

by Niki Tehranchi on Sat Jul 19, 2008 01:32 PM PDT

the one mentioned in the article linked by K Nassery is called Life and it is an Islamic charity. Child Foundation is a different entity: //www.childfoundation.org/AboutUs/tabid/53/De... Their tax form for 2007 is available online voluntarily by them and makes no mention of Hamas: (see especially page 24 listing the recipients of charitable contributions as "over 3000 families...": //www.childfoundation.org/LinkClick.aspx?file... Their financial report for 2007 is also available online: //www.childfoundation.org/LinkClick.aspx?file... So far, your accusation that they fund Hamas has not been proven. We will have to wait and see what if anything they are charged with and if in fact there will be a trial or whether this is a gross error/abuse of power on the part of law enforcement.


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Nassery: That is absolutely

by sad (not verified) on Sat Jul 19, 2008 01:00 PM PDT

Nassery: That is absolutely dishonest if they sent all the money to Hamas...


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K Nassery

Honest mistake...removed...

by K Nassery on Sat Jul 19, 2008 03:59 PM PDT

I don't know how to totally cancel this.


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Niki Tehranchi

could you provide the link or the google word search?

by Niki Tehranchi on Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:19 PM PDT

IF (and I strongly emphasize IF because I do not have any verifiable sources at this time) it is true that they duped people into donating money for children in Iran only to fund their political agenda, then that is truly DISGUSTING!!!


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K Nassery

I made an error in the original google search.

by K Nassery on Sat Jul 19, 2008 03:54 PM PDT

I removed the information that was incorrect.

Sorry.


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