Denver, CO – August 9th, 2010 – Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters recently announced that a nationwide arrest warrant for identity fraud has been issued for the man claiming to be "Bobby Thompson," director of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association (USNVA), a supposed charity based in Florida.
“Thompson” disappeared in June amid a growing number of state investigations into the organization's fundraising and spending, including revelations that the man who appears to have orchestrated this sham charity made hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions to candidates throughout the United States and in Ohio.
“Our investigators have determined that this individual stole the identity of someone else and used that as the centerpiece of an apparent scam that has continued for seven years and involved tens of millions of dollars,” Cordray said. “The real Bobby Thompson, whose identity was stolen, including his Social Security number and date of birth, has absolutely no connection to the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. We don't know who this individual is yet, but we do know that he is not Bobby Thompson.”
The Hamilton County arrest warrant is based on evidence that this individual used a false identity in the process of renting a UPS mailbox in Cincinnati in 2003. The mailbox was used as a collection point for donations to the charity. Since 2003, Ohioans have contributed close to $1.9 million to the U.S. Navy Veterans Association.
There appears to be very little evidence that the organization spent money actually helping veterans or their families. Yet public records do show hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions to various candidates made by "Bobby Thompson" personally or through the political action committee he created and to which he was the sole contributor, NAVPAC.
Anyone with information about this individual or his whereabouts is asked to contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation at (740) 845-2224 or (800) 282-3784. If located and arrested outside of Ohio, the Ohio Attorney General's office will pursue extradition proceedings to have this individual returned to Ohio.
Copies of the arrest warrant, photos of "Bobby Thompson" and additional background materials are available at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/USNavyVetsMaterials.
To avoid becoming a victim of charity fraud, the BBB offers the following advice:
· Any charity that claims to help the military and their families in any way should be approved by the U.S. Department of Defense. Check it on their Web site, www.ourmilitary.mil. All listed organizations have undergone thorough reviews by either the BBB or other independent organizations.
· Always check the charity’s BBB Reliability Report. The report will tell you whether or not the charity is transparent and has provided important information to the BBB about its use of funds, programs, governance and other background information.
· For security and tax record purposes, always pay with a check. Do not ever pay with cash or wire transfer and be wary of charities that want to send a courier or use an overnight delivery service to pick up your donation.
· Do not give donations over the phone.
· Beware of charities that use names or similar sounding names of well-known and trusted organizations. Always verify they are who they say they are.
· Refuse high-pressure appeals. If the organization is legitimate, they’ll still need your donation tomorrow or whenever you are ready to give.
· Make sure the organization has all proper registration and licensing if applicable. All charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Colorado -- with a few specific exceptions listed in the Charitable Solicitations Act -- must have a registration statement with the Colorado Secretary of State.
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