Three volunteer colleges, used clothing collections, many other companies, and a number of expensive properties. Until exposed, the Teachers Group owned two luxury apartments on Fisher Island off Miami.
Clothes/volunteering: Humana, Planet Aid, Gaia, U’SAgain, Garson and Shaw.
Colleges: IICD Mass, IICD Michigan, Campus California TG
Properties: Miami, The Sterlings, $7m yacht
HOT MONEY
10th February 2010
Hot money: the Planet Aid money machine
Our analysis of Planet Aid’s 501c3 returns and other papers suggests five ways in which Planet Aid Inc moves money from old clothes and ‘humanitarian donations’ into the Teachers Group’s own bank accounts.
Coming soon: our detailed dossier on Planet Aid Inc’s connections with property companies and real estate in Miami, and how we can show that Planet Aid is intimately bound up with the Tvind Teachers Group, successfully prosecuted for fraud in Europe, and its leaders sought by police.
To be informed when the dossier goes on line, please add your email address to our mailing list.
TOP US NEWS STORIES
6th February 2010
Mysterious Danish group builds exotic compound on Baja Coast
Journalist Michael Waterman travels to Mexico for the San Diego Reader to investigate the Teachers Group’s astonishing hideaway at San Juan de las Pulgas, Baja.
Along the way he meets members of the elusive Teachers Group, talks to local people, and uncovers fascinating new material. An excellent and very accurate summary of the Tvind story right up to the present.
17th November 2009
‘Millions In Clothing Donations Diverted From Charity’
US TV investigates U’SAgain
An investigation by Kiro 7 TV, Seattle, into Teachers Group clothes collector U’SAgain concludes the public is being deceived because U’SAgain is falsely masquerading as a charity. The Teachers Group-controlled enterprise has recently installed 600 clothing donation boxes in the Seattle area. Investigative reporter Chris Halsne writes: “Drop the clothes in a red U’SAgain bin and you’re essentially giving away cash to a multi-million dollar enterprise …. The company cashes in on peoples’ preconceived notions that all bins represent charity.”
The material includes a revealing video interview with U’SAgain CEO Mattias Wallander. Wallander admits he is in the Teachers Group, but claims no association with the Teachers Group members prosecuted for fraud in Denmark. But Kiro TV says financial records ‘indicate otherwise’.
Extended interview with Mattias Wallander
Seattle: Mayor calls for removal of for-profit donation bins
4th April 2009
A Scam of Planetary Proportions? (The Bollard.com)
By Craig Idlebrook. Inside the Planet Aid scandal. This excellent and comprehensive expose of Planet Aid appeared in a US online newspaper.
12th February 2004
The Green Bins of Gaia (Chicago Tribune special investigation)
By David Jackson and Monica Eng. While this very well informed two-part special focuses on Chigaco’s Gaia recycling bins, it also provides a detailed analysis of the whole Teachers Group and makes clear the links between Gaia and Planet Aid.
October 2000
‘Mission Control’ (Boston Magazine)
By Jay Cheshes. An in-depth feature on the Teachers group. “In the USA In 1970, a group of Danish hippies set out on a mission to save the world. Thirty years later, some of the young acolytes they recruited claim the group has become a cult, amassing riches in the hundreds of millions of dollars under the direction of an elusive and mysterious founder. Now, with recruiting efforts reaching into the United States, ex-members say the mission is no longer to save the world but to conquer it. North American headquarters? Massachusetts.”
USED CLOTHES
MORE NEWS
28th December 2009
US Government to investigate $96 million payments
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to investigate what has happened to more than $96 million in grants to Tvind / Humana over the last five years. The move follows concern expressed by Tvind Alert. As already reported here, the US government agency is one of the biggest funders of the Teachers Group, handing over money and produce for ‘projects in Africa’.
26th November 2009
Seattle: Mayor calls for removal of for-profit donation bins
Follow through to investigation of U’SAgain by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne. Action by local mayor and Attorney General.
16th November 2009
Waymarking.com shuns Tvind
Waymarking.com, a website that locates ‘unique and interesting locations on the planet’, refuses to include any of the Teachers Group clothes box locations on its ‘charity donations’ section. See the Waymarking permanent charity donation locations page.
Planet Aid and USDA ‘Food for Progress’ Grants
We are currently researching these large wheat grants to Planet Aid from USDA and would welcome any information. If you have have been involved in any way with Planet Aid in the USA or Mozambique and have any information please tell us.
19th February 2010
WGAM-TV, Illinois – U’SAgain red donation boxes meet resistance
US broadcaster covering Tri-State parts of Illimois, Missouri and Indiana reports. The City of Quincy almost immediately banned the red collection boxes due to a city ordinance violation.
OFFICIAL REPORTS
Better Business Bureau (Jan 2008)
Damning report on Planet Aid
The BBB is a US advocacy group with branches in every state that promotes high standards among businesses and charities. It isn’t a government agency and is funded by its membership. To be accredited by BBB, a charity must meet 20 criteria. Website: www.bbb.org.
In 2007-8 Planet Aid applied for accreditation but failed 3 of the 20 requirements. The BBB report from January 2008 went through each requirement and explained why Planet Aid didn’t meet the acceptable standards of a charity.
Report by the American Institute of Philanthropy (2006)
Gives Planet Aid an ‘F’ grade. More information
Last revised 9th February 2010
