Serial Offenders

"Going to jail is simply the price of doing business as an activist." Paul Watson, president, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (EIN: 93-0792021), in Bite Back magazine, summer 2003.

Any illegal act from vandalism and burglary to trespassing and public obscenity imposes a financial burden on society. Law-breaking should never be considered appropriate behavior for a corporation, least of all a tax-exempt one.

The following arrest records for four prominent tax-exempt American corporations were compiled mainly from media reports and cannot be considered exhaustive. But they clearly indicate the burden imposed on society in general, and taxpayers in particular, by these habitual law-breakers.

In terms of sheer number of arrests, no tax-exempt corporation can rival People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (EIN: 52-1218336). As the following records show, from 2000 to August 2003 PeTA activists were arrested no fewer than 82 times in the U.S. alone, on charges including (but far from limited to) felonious dumping, felony obstruction of government property, criminal mischief, assaulting a cabinet official, felony vandalism, performing obscene acts in public, failure to obey a law enforcement officer, obstructing traffic, blocking a federal doorway, destruction of federal property, obstructing a lawful business, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and burglary.

The cost of processing these arrests is unknown. However, a California police department unofficially confirmed that $5,000 was "a good ballpark average" for a civil disobedience arrest. And that means in three and a half years, PeTA's law-breaking activities cost taxpayers $410,000.
Organization Date City State Short Description Charges
Animal Defense League 2/17/96 Syracuse NY Dozens of members protest Georgio's Furs. Three arrests. Unlawful assembly, resisting arrest, criminal trespass in the 3rd degree
10/4/97 Red Bank NJ One activist arrested during protest outside Winters Furs. Disorderly conduct and obstructing a sidewalk
11/28/97 Long Island NY Activists lock arms in steel pipes which were festively decorated by wrapping paper and bows during a protest at Macy's. 12 arrests. Charges not clear
2/8/98 New York City NY ADL-NY website article describes how two activists hung a banner and then locked themselves to the awning of Macy's Herald Square store on 02/08/98. Charges not clear
10/7/98 Freehold NJ Activists block entrance to Macy's during their grand opening at the Freehold Raceway Mall. Nine arrested. Disorderly conduct, riot, resisting arrest, defiant trespass, and criminal mischief.
11/27/98 East Brunswick NJ Six activists arrested on various charges associated with blockading the entrances to Furs by Guarino salons. Defiant trespass, criminal coercion, disorderly conduct, obstruction of the administration of law and resisting arrest
11/29/98 East Brunswick NJ Four arrests at protest against Furs by Guarino. Criminal coercion, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, defiant trespass and obstructing the administration of law
12/19/98   NY Six arrests during a Macy's protest. Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration and contempt for violating a restraining order
3/7/99 New York NY Dozens of protesters demonstrate outside Macy's. 15 activists chain themselves to concrete barrels outside and are arrested. Disorderly conduct, obstruction of governmental administration, and resisting arrest
7/26/99 Agoura Hills CA Five activists arrested during a Circus Vargus protest. Charges not clear
7/27/99 Agoura Hills CA One arrest after deputies tell activists to get off private property where Circus Vargas has set up its tents. Charges not clear
8/2/99 Woodland Hills CA Approximately 20 activists participate in anti-circus protest at Pierce College. One, who was carrying a bull hook regarded by police to be a weapon, was arrested and hospitalized following a scuffle with police. Charges not clear
11/26/99 New York NY Scheduled Fur Free Friday protest against Macy's Herald Square, coordinated by ADL. An ADL webpage describes the event in detail and provides the arrest list. Charges not clear
12/19/99 Chicago IL 20 activists arrested during protest against Neiman Marcus. Trespassing
12/19/99 New York NY Fur Free Friday protest at Macy's. 23 activists arrested. Trespass, criminal trespass
1/16/00 Plymouth WI Activists from ADL and Student Organization for Animal Rights don ski masks and visit the Meyers fur farm to harass the farmer who had already gone out of business following a 1999 farm raid. Two vans are impounded, 14 activists arrested. Disorderly conduct while wearing a mask
4/15/00 La Canada Flintridge CA ADL activists protest outside the Palm Crest Elementary school where the Culpepper and Meriweather Circus is performing. One arrested. Trespassing
6/25/00 Long Island NY Date approximated. Dozens of ADL activists protest outside two Macy's stores at the Roosevelt Field and Walt Whitman malls. Six arrests. Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest
2/1/01 Garden City NY Approximately 20 ADL activists protest against Macy's Roosevelt Field Mall. Five arrests. Disorderly conduct; criminal trespass
7/13/01 New Brunswick NJ Six arrested during a protest against the Bank of New York. Felony criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, harassment, trespass, and endangerment of persons
Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade 2/21/99 Renton WA Approximately 12-15 protesters protest outside Seattle Fur Exchange. Two arrested. Assaulting a police officer, malicious mischief
11/26/99 Salt Lake City UT Protesters enter L'Ours Blanc Furs during a Fur Free Friday protest and chain themselves to the front doors, preventing customers from entering. Three arrested, three others "detained." Trespassing, other unclear charges
12/18/99 San Francisco CA Large-scale protest against Neiman Marcus results in 75 arrests. Charges not clear
4/1/00 San Francisco CA Seven arrested after they climb onto a billboard overlooking Union Square and lock down using bicycle locks. Feloney conspiracy, trespassing
12/16/00 San Francisco CA Approximately 33 CAFT activists arrested after trying to blockade Neiman Marcus. Charges not clear
7/8/01 San Francisco CA Five activists arrested for locking themselves across the entrance to Neiman Marcus. Burglary, conspiracy, trespassing, resisting arrest, disobeying a court order
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Charity Navigator rating: Two stars.

 9/11/81 Silver Springs MD Activists engineer a police raid involving the seizure of 17 research monkeys from a Silver Springs laboratory. PETA later steals the monkeys under the premise that they are the best people to care for them. Contempt of court, other unclear charges
12/15/85 Washington DC Fifteen activists arrested during a Woodward & Lothrop fur sale protest outside the Mayflower Hotel. Charges not clear
8/5/86 Washington DC Twelve activists in monkey costumes arrested for blocking the entrances to the Department of Health and Human Services during a research animal protest. Charges not clear
12/15/93 Des Moines IA Two activists arrested for disrupting a cattle ranchers meeting. Charges not clear
9/5/97 Salt Lake City UT Two activists in animal costumes arrested after chaining themselves to the drive-through of a McDonald's restaurant. Another is arrested and released. Trespassing and disorderly conduct
10/2/97 Greensboro NC Three arrested at McDonald's protest. Trespassing, resisting arrest and delaying and obstructing a law enforcement officer
12/4/99 Las Vegas NV Activist hits rodeo showgirl Brandy DeJongh in the face with a pie just moments after Dejongh won the Miss Rodeo America 2000 crown during a ceremony at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas. Battery
1/13/00 Nashville TN Two arrested after protesting on the roof of McDonald's. Trespassing, other unclear charges
1/20/00 Atlanta GA Two activists arrested for dumping a load of chicken manure near the entrance of the convention center where the International Poultry Expo was being held. The manure blocked traffic for about an hour. Felonious dumping; felony obstruction of government property
1/26/00 New York NY Two activists invade a New York City Hall welcoming ceremony for Ringling Brothers Circus, screaming "The elephants can't buy their freedom, but Ringling bought you!" at Mayor Giuliani while throwing fake $20 bills. Trespassing and disorderly conduct
2/8/00 New York NY Two activists jump onto a runway in the middle of Oscar de la Renta's fall fashion show to display "Fur Shame" banners. Both arrested. Criminal trespass
2/9/00 New York NY An activist is arrested for pelting designer Michael Kors with a tofu cream pie at a fashion show. Criminal mischief
2/10/00 New York NY One activist arrested after he hurled red paint at a fur-clad model during a Randolph Duke fashion show. Criminal mischief; criminal trespass
3/9/00 New York NY Four activists arrested for tearing and slashing leather clothes apart inside a Gap clothing store while protesters outside chant "Shed your skin, Gap!" Criminal mischief
5/30/00 Washington DC A PETA activist threw a pie at US Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman during the opening session of the National Nutrition Summit. Assault of a cabinet official
6/15/00 New York NY Four PETA activists arrested for disrupting Council of Fashion Designers of America's American Fashion Awards 2000 event. Disorderly conduct
6/24/00 Charleston WV PETA activist arrested for chanting "Fur Money is Blood Money" and throwing blood-colored paint and red money in the driveway of a mansion hosting a Hillary Clinton fund-raiser. Criminal mischief and littering
6/28/00 San Francisco CA One activist arrested for throwing fistfuls of "bloody money" at furrier Michael Kors as he unveils his fall fashion collection at Saks Fifth Avenue. Distruption of business
8/1/00 Philadelphia PA PETA activist arrested during the Republican Nat'l Convention while trying to dump 4 tons of manure with the message to George W. Bush that meat stinks and should be taxed. Transporting a material intended to be used to create a public nuisance
8/12/00 Los Angeles CA PETA activist cited for misdemeanor vandalism after dumping 4 tons of fresh horse manure outside the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles during the Democratic National Convention. Illegally dumping a noxious substance in a commercial quantity
8/15/00 Los Angeles CA 42 activists reportedly led by PETA were arrested during a Democratic National Convention sub-protest against fur. The activists banged on the windows of Borovay Furs; some had flammable liquids and small fireworks in their backpacks. Felony vandalism, conspiracy, vandalism, other unclear charges
10/2/00 Washington DC PETA activist arrested for climbing up and then chaining himself to a statue of Gandhi outside the Indian Embassy during a protest against Indian leather. Charges not clear
10/13/00 Huntington WV PETA activist cited for exposing herself in public during a protest against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Exposing herself in public
10/25/00 Chicago IL One arrested outside Daley Center Plaza for public indecency during protest against circus. Public indecency (arrest over citation that stipulated a fine, no jail required)
11/14/00 Baltimore MD Two arrested during protest against leather at The Gallery shopping mall. Indecent exposure; failure to obey a law enforcement officer
1/6/01 Louisville KY One arrest at anti-leather protest. Disorderly conduct
1/24/01 Jackson MS Activist arrested when she appears outside the Jackson shopping mall wearing little more than panties and a cardboard sign. Indecent exposure, obstructing traffic, disturbing the peace, and demonstrating without a permit
2/14/01 New York NY One activist arrested on multiple counts after throwing red paint at the Michael Kors' fall fashion show. Charges not clear
3/29/01   MD Two activists arrested at a Burger King restaurant protest. Unlawful entry
4/25/01 Washington DC Three arrested during protest against DOT. Incommoding or blocking a federal doorway, misdemeanor destruction of federal property
5/29/01 Shreveport LA Three activists arrested during a circus protest. Obstructing a public passageway, performing obscene acts
6/14/01 New York NY Activists aiming for fur designer Karl Lagerfeld miss and hit Calvin Klein with a tofu cream pie. Six arrested, charges later dropped. Charges not clear
6/25/01 San Diego CA 75 activists storm a Burger King restaurant during the BIO2001 biotechnology conference week. Two arrests. Charges not clear
6/27/01 San Francisco CA Three arrested for climbing onto the roof of a Burger King with a banner reading "Burger King: King of Cruelty!" Charges not clear
7/3/01 Fairfax VA Five activists arrested at a protest against Wendy's. Charges not clear
7/16/01 Columbus OH Two activists arrested for trespassing during a protest against the original Wendy's restaurant. Trespassing
7/19/01 Pittsburgh PA Two arrested after climbing onto the counter at a Wendy's restaurant and yelling accusations at customers about where the food came from. Charges not clear
8/7/01 Boston MA One arrested for disorderly conduct when attempting to climb onto the order counter during a PETA "counter attack" protest against Wendy's. Disorderly conduct
8/9/01 Providence RI Roughly a dozen activists protest outside a Wendy's restaurant. One arrest. Obstructing a lawful business
8/20/01 Tucson AZ Four activists arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing charges during a Wendy's restaurant protest. Disorderly conduct; trespassing
8/23/01 El Paso TX Three activists arrested while yelling accusations about the food to customers at a Wendy's restaurant. Charges not clear
8/25/01 Albuquerque NM About 35 activists protest at Wendy's. One jumps onto the counter and yells at customers until he is arrested. Disorderly conduct; criminal trespassing
8/30/01 Charlotte, NC NC Two arrested while taking over the order counter at a Wendy's restaurant and yelling claims at customers about where the food came from. Charges not clear
11/30/01 Las Vegas NV Activist arrested after appearing in leopard-like body paint during protest against fur farms in front of MGM Grand Hotel. Disorderly conduct
5/15/02 Harrisburg PA PETA "Tiger Lady" arrested while crouched in a cage, wearing nothing but a thong, panties, and body-painted stripes, to protest animals in circuses. Disorderly conduct
10/22/02 Beijing CH Two activists detained by Chinese authorities after they stripped and unfurled banners reading "We'd rather go naked than wear fur" on a busy shopping street in Beijing. Charges not clear
11/14/02 New York NY Four PETA protesters disrupted a fashion show by storming the runway with signs condemning fur. The audience cheered as they were arrested and taken away. Disorderly conduct
3/6/03 Paris FRANCE Two PETA activists stormed the catwalk during the Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show in Paris. Arrests were made but the protesters were later released. Charges not clear
3/17/03 Chicago IL One activist arrested after handing out pamphlets on "veganism" in Chicago wearing only shorts, shoes and a "Go Vegan" placard. Disorderly Conduct
6/2/03 New York City NY Five activists arrested after dumping red paint in the entrance of the Condé Nast building in Times Square. Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Mischief
8/14/03 Tampa FL Three activists arrested after storming Lowry Park Zoo and demanding staff free elephants. Burglary and disorderly conduct, trespassing
8/14/03 San Diego CA Activists stormed the San Diego Zoo to protest the importation of elephants from Swaziland. One arrest was made. Trespassing
2/27/04 Rome Italy Nine protesters arrested outside designer Roberto Cavalli's store. Cavalli uses fur. Charges not known.
3/1/04 Cambridge MA Six protesters arrested for nearly naked protest against fur outside Harvard University. Criminal misdemeanor
5/13/04 Birmingham U.K. PeTA member Andrew Butler arrested during banned Holocaust on Your Plate demo. Specific charge unknown; public disorder.
11/23/04 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam PeTA "Asia director" Jason Baker arrested for unauthorized protest outside KFC. Specific charge unknown.
06/15/05 Ahoskie NC PeTA workers Adria Hinkle and Andrew Cook arrested for killing and dumping dogs and cats. Multiple felony cruelty charges, illegal dumping, trespassing, obtaining property by false pretenses
10/25/06 Southampton County VA Two PeTA workers arrested for stealing a hunting dog. Grand and petty larceny.
11/21/06 Manhattan NY Four PeTA members arrested for smearing red paint on Burberry boutique. Specific charge unknown.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Charity Navigator rating: One star.

 1972 Iran Founder Paul Watson spends two weeks in jail. Espionage
1977 Seattle WA Founder Paul Watson spends one day in jail. Trespass
1980 Quebec Canada Founder Paul Watson spends ten days in jail. Breaking the Canadian Seal Protection Act
4/83 Quebec Canada Founder Paul Watson spends ten days in jail. Conspiracy to break the Canadian Seal Protection Act
12/83 Quebec Canada Founder Paul Watson spends ten days in jail. Conviction for conspiracy to break the Canadian Seal Protection Act
1989 Iceland Founder Paul Watson spends one day in jail. Charges not laid
6/1/92 Lofoten Islands Norway Two activists claim guilt for sinking the Norwegian whaling vessel "Nybraena" while in port. Both are sentenced to 120 days in prison in absentia. Shipwrecking, other unclear charges
1993 Newfoundland Canada Founder Paul Watson spends five days in jail. Mischief
3/31/94 Bremerhaven Germany One activist arrested by harbor police for an incident related to the ramming of a Norwegian Navy vessel. Authorities fail to extradite him and the charges are dropped. Attempted Shipwrecking
3/31/94 Amsterdam Holland One activist arrested in Amsterdam and held in Lelystad penitentiary for extradition to Norway. Charges were related to the sinking of a Norwegian whaling vessel. Charges not clear
1995 Newfoundland Canada Founder Paul Watson spends ten days in jail. Accessory to mischief
1997 Germany Founder Paul Watson spends one day in jail on Norwegian Interpol warrant. Sinking a ship.
1997 Netherlands Founder Paul Watson rearrested on Interpol warrant (see above) and spends 80 days in jail awaiting extradition hearing. Sinking a ship.
1/14/02 Conway Ireland Webpage states 40 activists stage a protest in front of Stephens Inc. building decrying their relationship with Huntingdon Life Sciences. Charges not clear
4/22/02 Puntarenas Costa Rica Arrest warrant issued for an activist in relation to an altercation with the Costa Rican fishing vessel "Vacadero". Attempted murder, destruction of property
5/10/02 Puntarenas Costa Rica New charges leveled against one named activist and the crew of the "Farley Mowat" related to April 22 altercation. Attempted shipwrecking
11/17/03 Taiji Japan Two Sea Shepherd activists arrested after diving into a bay and releasing pilot whales before they could be killed by fishermen. Interfering with commerce
03/31/05 Charlottetown, PEI Canada Ten "crew" of the ship Farley Mowat are arrested for interfering with the seal hunt. Violating Fisheries Act regulation regarding distance to be kept from seal hunt.