RICHFIELD, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s attorney general says he hopes a real veterans group can benefit from money found during the investigation of an alleged scam that collected up to $100 million in donations for U.S. Navy veterans.
Authorities said they found more than $981,000 when the fugitive suspected of running the scam was arrested in Portland, Ore.
The man calls himself Bobby Thompson. Authorities don’t believe that’s his name but have been unable to identify him otherwise.
He pleaded not guilty to state charges in Ohio on Tuesday.
Authorities say he founded the bogus Florida-based charity United States Navy Veterans Association, which collected millions of dollars from donors in 41 states.
Attorney General Mike DeWine he says he hopes the money that was recovered can be given to a real veterans’ group.
