BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee have announced a settlement with The Johns Hopkins House, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and its founder, Robert S. Brown, following alleged violations of the Maryland Solicitations Act. The settlement requires the organization to permanently shut down and halts all charitable fundraising activities in the state.
The case centers around several significant violations of Maryland’s charitable solicitation laws, including misleading donors about the use of their contributions and failing to disclose financial information upon request. As part of the settlement, Mr. Brown is banned from soliciting charitable donations or operating a charitable organization within Maryland in the future.
“The public entrusts their hard-earned money to charities with the hope that it will support causes they care about,” said Attorney General Brown in a statement. “When a charity misleads donors and fails to use their contributions as promised, it betrays that trust. My office is committed to holding those who abuse charitable assets accountable and protecting Maryland consumers from fraudulent fundraising practices.”
The investigation into The Johns Hopkins House, Inc. began after a cease-and-desist order was issued by Secretary of State Lee on October 23, 2023, following the discovery of multiple violations. These included misleading communications to donors about the organization’s financial status and the misuse of donations.
The organization claimed its mission was to preserve Whites Hall, the childhood home of famed Marylander Johns Hopkins, and to establish a museum and fund scholarships related to the property. However, much of the fundraising conducted by Mr. Brown and the organization in 2023 centered around events that were never held. In early 2024, the property was lost to foreclosure, and donors were led to believe that their contributions were still being used to support the organization’s mission, even as financial problems mounted.
The investigation revealed that instead of being directed to the stated goals of preserving Whites Hall and establishing a museum, many donations were used to cover fundraising costs, and some funds even supported Mr. Brown’s living expenses at the property.
“Donors place their trust in organizations that are legally required to follow strict rules to protect the public,” said Secretary of State Lee. “When that trust is broken, it not only harms the donors but also undermines public confidence in charities as a whole. This settlement ensures that Mr. Brown and his organization can no longer take advantage of Maryland residents’ generosity.”
As part of the settlement, Mr. Brown has also signed an apology letter acknowledging the cessation of all charity operations in Maryland. Although he has denied any wrongdoing, the settlement effectively concludes the legal proceedings.
Attorney General Brown and Secretary Lee expressed their appreciation for the efforts of Assistant Attorney General Alexander Ayer and the investigative team from the Office of the Secretary of State, including Robert Gurley and Tricia Templeton, for their work in uncovering the violations and resolving the case.
Maryland’s Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for regulating charitable organizations that solicit donations in the state. For Maryland residents who wish to verify whether a charity is properly registered or to report suspected violations, the public can access the SoS-Public Registry or contact the Secretary of State’s office directly.
To protect against fraud, the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division also offers tips on smart charitable giving through its ‘Consumer’s Edge’ publication.
For more information on charities and to verify their registration status, Maryland residents can visit the Secretary of State’s charity homepage.
