OFF THE WIRE
When Orlando television news reporter Matt Grant started digging around into the finances of Daytona based BADD, (Bikers Against Drunk Drivers) he hit a stone wall, at least when he contacted the organization directly. BADD is a well known motorcycle charity in Central Florida and is known for it’s motorcycle giveaways. According to records filed with the State of Florida in the three years prior to 2014, the organization collected just over $2.6 million dollars. Those same records indicate the charity has returned just $20,300 to victims of drunk drivers, less than 1% of the money it collected. The president of Charity Navigator, one of the largest non-profit charity watch dogs in the United States said the numbers don’t add up and gives BADD a “zero” rating. Records indicate that the charity’s founder Danny Perkins owns a luxury condo on Miami’s South Beach worth almost a million dollars and which records indicate was paid for in cash and a 27 foot pleasure boat which is registered in the charity’s name. When asked how donations are spent, Perkins told WESH in an email “the charity speaks for itself,”claiming BADD has sent out 5 million flyers and used Facebook posts to encourage people not to drink and drive.