The attorney general's office in Ohio, which regulates charities, joined the case as co-plaintiff.

As for government help, only a few states, including New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, carefully regulate charities.

Other government departments are also involved with regulating charities.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States.

Across the country, state officials are limited in their ability to regulate charities for a variety of reasons.

Congressional and administration officials said the report demonstrated that Riyadh had been lax about regulating charities used as conduits to finance terrorists.

Approximately 45 states have laws regulating charities and require registration before soliciting donations.

He blamed "their lack of political will or weaknesses in their laws which fail to effectively regulate their financial institutions and charities."

And Mr. Bloomberg said he was "very comfortable" with the former mayor and the attorney general, who regulates charities, making the arrangements.

Most countries in the world regulates charities and overlook their spending to avoid fraud.