A Big Island judge has ordered an immediate freeze on all contributions made by donors to Anthony Marasia, who does business as “Love the Animals.”

The Internal Revenue Service does not recognize Love the Animals as a charity and donations are not tax-deductible, the state Department of the Attorney General said in a news release today.

The department found after a five-month investigation that Marasia allegedly used some of the money for his food, gasoline and other personal expenses.

Marasia was also ordered to provide an accounting of money received and spent to the attorney general’s office, and was ordered to cease soliciting contributions on its website, lovetheanimals.org, and on social media sites.

The group says it works for the humane treatment of animals, the state said.