Imagine an environmental group being sued for being dishonest! Well, the Okie from Muskogee, Merle Haggard is suing a Nashville-based environmental group, Green Train, for totally misrepresenting his contributions to the organization.

Haggard said that:

without his consent, permission or knowledge, the group used his name and image on all materials for the Green Train and forged his signature on “personal letters” and other solicitation materials and on merchandise sold on e-Bay and in nightclubs.

The forged letters went to some of Haggard’s friends in the entertainment industry, including Dolly Parton, Jewel, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, the lawsuit states.

Haggard also contends that the group did not have a state permit to raise contributions and did not report the contributions, and that “substantial amounts” of the tens of thousands of dollars it raised went to Wolf’s personal use.

While it is unfortunate that Mr. Haggard has been taken advantage of and I further hope he puts the screws to them, this should serve as a reminder that most environmental “watchdog” groups are as crooked as a snake and dishonest to boot. Seldom is the money they raise used for the purposes they claim to be representing.

Tom Remington

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