HAGENS BERMAN

Hagens Berman is investigating claims that Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea” and “Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan” misled purchasers of his book and donators to his charity, the Central Asia Institute.

The firm is interested in speaking with individuals who either donated to the Central Asia Institute or purchased one of Mr. Mortenson's books.

On April 16, 2011, “60 Minutes” ran a piece about Mr. Mortenson. Correspondent Steve Kroft alleged that Mr. Mortenson’s books were misleading. For instance, Kroft alleged that he may have lied about getting lost near the mountain K2 in 1993. CBS’ investigation revealed that Mr. Mortenson’s initial telling of the story in 1993 contradicted his later, more dramatic account.

Moreover, he claimed in “Three Cups of Tea” that he was kidnapped by the Taliban for eight days in 1996. CBS’ investigation revealed that four of the men who were there deny that they were ever members of the Taliban and claim that he was their guest.

Hagens Berman is also investigating claims that Mr. Mortenson used his charity, the Central Asia Institute, to promote his books. However, the charity, according to reports, did not share in the revenues generated from speaking fees and book sales.

In order to continue this investigation, Hagens Berman is looking for individuals who either purchased one of Mr. Mortenson’s books or contributed to the Central Asia Institute.

Any possible recovery obtained by the firm would go back into another non-profit, including any attorney’s fees or other funds. In the event of action on behalf of purchasers of the books, a substantial portion of the recovered funds which would ordinarily go to the firm would instead go towards a non-profit cause as well.