| Company type | Non-profit |
|---|---|
| Founded | Yogesh K. Gandhi |
| Defunct | 1999[1] |
| Headquarters | Orinda, California |
| Products | Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian Award |
Gandhi Memorial International Foundation, also known as the Mahatma Gandhi International Foundation, was a controversial non-profit organization run by Yogesh K. Gandhi, born Yogesh Kathari,[2] who claims to be related to Mahatma Gandhi.[3] However, an immediate descendant of Mahatma Gandhi, publicly stated that Yogesh K. Gandhi was a "scam artist", and "interested primarily in enriching himself."[2] Yogesh Gandhi described the organization as dedicated to "social betterment through nonviolence."[4] The organization gave out the "Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian Award".[5][6]
The organization's business dealings were investigated by the United States Senate, in March 1998.[2] Mother Jones referred to the organization as: "a shadowy non-profit enterprise devoted in principle to 'promoting the philosophy of non-violence'."[7] On March 8, 1999, Yogesh Gandhi was charged by the United States Department of Justice with "tax evasion, mail and wire fraud and perjury" for dealings related to the Gandhi Memorial International Foundation.[8] He had previously been indicted by the Justice Department's Campaign Financing Task Force in August 1998.[8] In 1999, Yogesh Gandhi entered a guilty plea to the charges of mail fraud, tax evasion and violating federal election law over his contributions involving the Gandhi Memorial International Foundation and the Democratic National Committee in 1996.[9] The Foundation was reported to have ceased its activities in 1999.[1]
- ^ a b "Local Man Pleads Guilty in Demo Finance Flap". San Ramon Valley Times. Walnut Creek, California: MediaNews Group. June 26, 1999.
- ^ a b c "Investigation of Illegal or Improper Activities in Connection with 1996 Federal Election Campaigns", 105th Congress, 2nd Session, United States Senate Report 105-167 Part 5, 105 S. Rpt. 167; Prt. 5, March 10, 1998. hosted at www.senate.gov, See also: The Contribution of Yogesh Gandhi.
- ^ Cole, Richard; Michael J. Sniffin (1998). "Feds Add Fraud To Gandhi's Woes". CBS News. CBS. Associated Press.
- ^ Kennedy, Shawn G. (October 28, 1984). "Postings; Gandhi Foundation". The New York Times.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
dumainewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
statuewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Hammond, Keith; Laurel Druley (April 17, 1997). "Returned to Spender: When the DNC sent back their colossal contributions, these donors dropped off the MoJo 400 list". Mother Jones. www.motherjones.com.
- ^ a b Yogesh Gandhi Charged with Tax Evasion, Mail and Wire Fraud and Perjury, Press Release, United States Department of Justice, March 8, 1999
- ^ Kurian, Rupa (July 1999). "Sentencing Date for Yogesh Gandhi Set; Could Serve A Year In Prison And Deported to India". Rediff. Rediff India.