Duke Lacrosse Defense Fund

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to inform you that a “defense fund” to help with the legal expenses of the three falsely accused Duke lacrosse players was recently setup and is ready to accept your contributions. Please note that the legal costs of defending these young men are projected to be in the millions and it was out of great necessity that such a fund was created. The formal name of the fund is “Association for Truth and Fairness.” We like to thank everyone who contacted us inquiring how to financially contribute. Your concerns and future donations are much appreciated.

We are not the only group contributing to this cause. There are others who are concerned about the enormous financial burden thas has been placed on these families. Along with everyone else, we ask that you make your contributions directly to the Association for Truth and Fairness. Below you will find the “Statement of Purpose” for the association and all the necessary details for making your contributions.

For those who did not have the time to follow the case closely and want to catch up with the latest developments, an extensive list of articles may be found here: Links to media.

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To make your contributions through Association for Truth and Fairness website (highly recommended) click here. Otherwise, follow the directions below:

a. Check and mailing instructions:
If sending a check, please make your check payable to the “Association for Truth and Fairness” and mail to:

Association for Truth and Fairness
Attn: Private Banking
United Bank
1667 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006-1605

b. Wiring instructions:
United Bank
Fairfax, VA
ABA Routing Number: 056-004-445
Credit To Account No: 007033-3828
Account Name: Association for Truth and Fairness

Please notify J. Catherine Hirsch by telephone (202) 828-6781 or by fax (202) 293-6966 of your wire.

c. Purchasing Duke lacrosse merchandise:
For those who wish to purchase Duke lacrosse related merchandise, as a form of assistance to the "defense fund," please use the links below:

Duke Lacrosse Wristbands
Wristbands via Credit Card

Association for Truth and Fairness
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
May 3, 2006

The Association for Truth and Fairness, a Delaware non-profit corporation, has been recently formed. Its purpose is to advance social welfare by defending human and civil rights secured by law, including due process and equal protection under the law. Although the idea for its creation was spawned by the criminal investigation of the Duke men’s lacrosse team, the Association is intended not only to assist those who are facing similar injustices, but also to strive to prevent such injustices from ever occurring again.

The words “truth” and “fairness” are used in the name of the Association because it is these two basic principles that have been absent in the Duke investigation and resultant indictments. The mission of the Association is to ensure that truth and fairness are no longer anachronistic principles.

The members of the initial Board of Directors are friends of boys on the Duke Lacrosse team. At the initial meeting of the Board, the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLVED that in furtherance of the Association’s purposes, the Association will help defray past and future costs and expenses incurred in defending members of the Duke men’s lacrosse team against false allegations about the team and individual team members and in communicating truthful information to the general public.

The Association has established a bank account at the United Bank in Washington, DC to receive donations. The bank account will be administered by the Private Banking Department of the United Bank as directed by the Association’s Board of Directors.

Note that contributions to the Association are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. However, they may be tax-deductible under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. You may wish to consult with your tax professional regarding the deductibility of your contributions.

The Association will not accept any earmarked gifts. In addition, although a limited number of parents of boys on the Duke Lacrosse team may join the Association’s board, a firm conflict of interest policy is being adopted so that no director will participate in any decision that might involve a personal financial benefit.