Ohio Attorney General Sues Former Service Dog Charity
On July 29, 2025, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a now-defunct nonprofit and its former executive director, alleging that more than $25,000 in charitable donations were misused for personal expenses.
The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, names Pawsible Angels Inc. of Findlay and its former leader, Michele S. Frank. The organization was originally created to train and provide service dogs for people with chronic illness and disabilities — a mission that drew donors across Ohio who wanted to help those in need.
Instead, investigators allege that the funds were diverted to cover Frank’s personal rent, utilities, debt payments, overdraft fees, medical bills, clothing, restaurant meals, dating services, and even private music lessons.
A Betrayal of Public Trust
“Ohioans donated to help people in need — not to pay someone’s rent, piano lessons, or dating services,” Yost said in a statement. “This is a blatant betrayal of public trust, and we’re holding her accountable.”
According to the Attorney General’s complaint, Frank not only used the nonprofit’s money for personal gain but also refused to provide financial records to the organization’s board and continued acting on behalf of the charity even after resigning.
Legal Action and Potential Penalties
The Attorney General’s office is seeking:
Restitution for the misused funds.
Civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
A permanent injunction preventing Frank from operating or serving on the board of any charitable organization in Ohio.
The case is being handled by the Charitable Law Section of Yost’s office, which enforces state laws governing nonprofits and works to protect the integrity of charitable donations.
Protecting Donors and Nonprofits
This lawsuit serves as a reminder of how vital financial transparency is within the nonprofit sector. Donors give with the expectation that their contributions will be used responsibly to support important causes — whether that’s training service dogs, feeding families, or protecting animals. When those funds are misused, the entire charitable community suffers from the loss of trust.
What You Can Do
Ohioans who suspect fraud or misuse within a nonprofit can take action by:
Filing a complaint online at charitable.ohioago.gov
Calling the Attorney General’s office at 800-282-0515
By reporting suspicious activity, donors and community members play an important role in protecting the integrity of Ohio’s charitable organizations.
