Navy Veterans used phony names to send cash to campaigns, inquiry finds

[highplainsdem]

Source: St. Petersburg Times - Tampabay.com

Navy Veterans used phony names to send cash to campaigns, inquiry finds

By Jeff Testerman and John Martin, Times Staff Writers
In Print: Monday, November 8, 2010

Was the U.S. Navy Veterans Association, which operated as a tax-exempt charity from a Tampa duplex, really a front that siphoned cash donated by the public and pumped it into the campaigns of politicians?

-snip-

Using the man's name, Social Security number and date of birth, "Thompson'' made political donations at a rate that steadily increased after he established the Navy Veterans charity and hired telemarketing firms to finance its operation. By April 2010, Thompson's name had been used to make contributions totaling $208,829.

That included $55,500 to Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in 2009, and $14,800 this year to Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, head of the tea party caucus — contributions made after a St. Petersburg Times investigation exposed the Navy Veterans charity.

-snip-

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has called the Navy Veterans a "sham charity" and "an elaborate hoax." He estimates Thompson's organizations collected more than $2.1 million in Ohio alone and defrauded as many as 100,000 Ohioans. Cordray says lots of cash — just how much is uncertain — went "not to veterans causes but was instead diverted to political campaigns."

-snip-

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/navy-veterans-used-phony-names-to-send-cash-to-campaigns-inquiry-finds/1132957

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Much more at the link about this sham charity and how the money went to Republican politicians.

The article includes photos of Thompson with George Bush and Karl Rove.

[krispos42]

1. Obviously, the only solution is to de-fund ACORN again. n/t

[Skittles]

4. I emailed link to rabid repuke

asking, "Think you'll hear as much about this as you did about ACORN?"

[Angry Dragon]

2. He also got his picture taken with bachmann or palin

[aquart]

3. That's called FRAUD. Is he going to jail?

How many more Republican scams are out there?

[Blue_Tires]

18. He probably has 50 different identities and political insulation...

How would you catch him? For all we know he could have been one of the jerkoffs just voted into congress last week...

[atreides1]

19. Probably not

Because no one can find him.

[glinda]

5. I feel sorry for the Veterans. Wonder if there are others like this.

[madmax]

6. Publicly Funded Elections nt

[DeadManInc]

10. the only way to go

[Historic NY]

7. Wow he is even hanging with KKKRove.

[era veteran]

8. War profiteers need the gallows n/t

[Solly Mack]

9. k/r

[madrchsod]

11. remember- senator elect kirk from illinois lied about his service...

republicans are above the law

[drm604]

12. K&R

I'm sure Fox news will be all over this story. :sarcasm:

[dgibby]

13. Forwarded to Rachel

Hope she uses it.

As a REAL Navy Vet, this infuriates me. Hopefully, they'll get this scumbag soon.

Thanks for posting.

K&R!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. The Roanoke Times has been looking into this group.

Here's the newest article I could find. There should be another one later today.

Ohio officials say solicitors' take could be $100 million in Navy Vets case

By Laurence Hammack
981-3239

A nonprofit group under investigation in Virginia and elsewhere stole up to $100 million in contributions meant for U.S. Navy veterans, according to Ohio authorities.
....

A judge agreed to set bond in that amount Wednesday for Blanca Contreras, who is charged with running a corrupt organization, money laundering and theft.

In Virginia, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is investigating the U.S. Navy Vets, which according to filings with the Internal Revenue Service raised more than $5 million from state residents before putting its fundraising on hold last year.

Most of the elected officials who received contributions from Thompson, including Gov. Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli donated the funds to charity. Cuccinelli received $55,500 of the money.

Cuccinelli will get around to looking into this ... oh, any day now.

[dgibby]

15. I grew up reading the Roanoke Times.

I still read it online, but will be so glad when I move back home(Clifton Forge) next month, and start getting it delivered again.

Glad to know they're on this.

[activa8tr]

21. Follow the money.... just like Watergate... leads back to ...

Republicans screwing around with money in order to get elected.

[PADemD]

16. Thompson's face looks familiar

I wonder what he looks like without a full beard and shorter hair.

[fedupinBushcountry]

17. Here's another

http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2010/reports/navy-veterans-association/">link with PDF's of contributions, etc. One of the contributions was to now Atty. Gen. of Virginia: 8/31/2009 Kenneth Cuccinelli for Virginia Attorney General $50,000

[glinda]

20. K & R

[geardaddy]

22. Here's the scoop from dumpbachmann

http://www.dumpbachmann.com/2010/10/bachmanns-name-pops-up-in-us-navy-vets.html