The Brooklyn resident faces a $4 million fine for selling cocoa and cookies for charity

36-year-old Greg Maugeri and his family opened a stand with cookies and hot chocolate in 2015. And for 3 years every December they put him on the road near his aunt’s house in the area of Dyker heights. So they fed tens of thousands of tourists who come to see Christmas in new York.

In past years the family Maugeri donated money from the sale on toys, but in 2018 they decided to give them another case.

«In the summer of this year I lost my stepfather to cancer, so we decided that we will choose a charitable organization to fight cancer, said Maugeri. I do cakes, so we have created Cookies for Kids Cancer».

Man faces thousands in fines over the Brooklyn hot chocolate stand used to raise money for charity https://t.co/YBzQ1Zayw2 pic.twitter.com/6bjDafVCNH

— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) August 28, 2018

Maugeri promised $2500 a charitable organization that sent him an information pack with stickers and balloons to be placed on the stand. But on Saturday, 22 December, the busiest weekend of the season, his counter is suddenly closed.

Six police officers and three inspectors of the Department of health announced that he is breaking the law. But, Maugeri claims that he has applied to the state of new York and received permission to conduct business.

«This is terrible, said Maugeri in an interview with Patch. — We don’t fool tourists, the money will go to children with cancer».

He was given 2 receipts and the summons to the court on January 25. According to the man, he faces a fine in the amount of $4 thousand.

«It’s a fundraiser, he said. — Just like girl scout cookies as a kid with lemonade stand selling to the garage.»

The Brooklyn resident faces a $4 million fine for selling cocoa and cookies for charityThe Counter Greg Maugeri. Source: Go Fund Me

According to Maugeri, it was the first occasion when he had problems with the police for all time of existence of his stand.

After the incident, Maugeri launched a page on GoFundMe set a goal of $10 thousand to cover the costs of fines and lawyers, as well as to fulfill their obligations to charity. But regardless of whether he wins in court or not, the man admitted that 2018 may be the last year of the counter.

«I used to love it… but with all these rules and regulations it has become a burden,» said Maugeri.

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