Non Profit Organization Claims It Is Not Under US Law

[SAW]

We are a part of a religious non profit organization. About two years ago, we requested to see their public financial information; tax record, charity records, etc.. We did not ask who received the money, but we were asking who handles dividing the contributions to charity.

The Board of Trustees which are six members and one member is a Lawyer who was on the board. They including the lawyer stated and refused to release any information as they stated that they are not a part of the US law and they don't follow the US law. Is this true? Can they pick and choose which laws they follow? Does the lawyer have the legal right to claim that he does not need to follow the US law?

In our last meeting, they decided to close the meetings and the meeting will be behind close doors and no one shall attend unless they are invited or write a request to why they want to attend.

My question is:

Is there any laws for Non profit organization Religious Section 501c3?
Is it true that they can make their own law because they have a lawyer as a member of the board?
Can they close meetings and not have any meetings open?
Do you need reason to ask for information pertaining to financials? They stated that "what is our intention for asking for such information".

Which organization can I talk to, who controls this type of Non profit?

We are Maryland state.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[usedbranflakes]

If it's the religion that starts with letter between R and T and ends in cientology, don't mess with them.

Otherwise, you can report them to your local IRS agency. If that lawyer is on the board, then his life is about to get really busy. A 501c3 requires them to be incorporated under American laws, even if they are a foreign non-profit.

[SAW]

Thank you, I really appreciate your feedback.

This nonprofit organization starts with "Is---" and we don't know which agency within the IRS to report them to. Is there a special forms that I need to submit my finding? Is it only the IRS that I can report them to?

Also, can an attorney that is a member of the organization represent the same organization or is this a conflict of interest?

Which organization can I file a complaint against this attorney who stated that they have their own laws and establish their own state?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY.. It is very much appreciated...

[usedbranflakes]

Good. Just never mess with L. Ron's church or say anything bad about them. Google their name and lawsuits.

Just call the IRS and ask to speak with an investigator. Your records better be crystal clear before doing this because they will investigate you. If this Non-profit is a 501c3 and they are refusing to provide a receipt and you donated over $250, then report it.

Attorneys that are members of organizations represent them all the time. Little Leagues, homeowner's associations, etc. are usually a non-profit and are usually represented by member attorneys. In fact, the attorney's firm may be paid by the non-profit. It doesn't happen often, but it happens.

You can always report an attorney and the facts to the State Bar and they will investigate him/her.