HORRY COUNTY, SC -- A non-profit veterans group that has been cited for violating state laws will not be allowed to be a vendor at the Myrtle Beach Spring Harley Rally.
In the few months that it has been operating in South Carolina, the Veterans Support Organization has been come under attack from Grand Strand veterans' groups, who complain VSO does not give enough of its money collected through donations to veterans.
A letter to VSO from Secretary of State Mark Hammond's office listed five statutes that it claims VSO is violating, including misrepresenting the percentage of contributions used for the organization's program services.
The VSO had been approved for vendor space for the spring rally, but after being informed of the Secretary of State's investigation, Harley rally organizers informed VSO representatives that the group's vendor permit would be withdrawn.
"I just told the VSO, I contacted them and explained to them that at this time it would not be a good thing to have them dealing with our local community," said Denise Triece, marketing coordinator for Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson.
Triece says she was contacted by other veterans groups, who informed her of the allegations against the VSO.
"I immediately sent out e-mails to all our local veterans groups and assured them that that organization would not be on our properties," Triece said. "Until things are really cleared up and we see what happens, I don't want to do anything to harm any of our local organizations."
VSO chief financial officer Kimberly Silva told NewsChannel 15 last month that they plan to work with the Secretary of State's office to settle issues raised by the investigation.
Do you think the VSO should be allowed to be a vendor at the MB Spring Harley Rally? Leave your thoughts below!
