This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Category: Phony Vet Charities

  • Phony charities popping up for Boston victims

    MCPO Ret. in TN sends us a warning from the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center. The warning is about charities which have sprung up in the wake of the terrorist attack in Boston the other day;

    NCCIC recommends that all persons looking to donate money in support of those affected by yesterday’s events rely on official fund raising charities such as the American Red Cross. Exercise caution when clicking on links or interacting with social media accounts that claim to represent the best interests of those involved in this incident.

    Additionally, when searching for updates on the story, it is safest to go directly to trusted news sources rather than conducting general search engine queries.

    I know this is happening because the inbox for this blog is filling up with organizations that want me to tap you for some coins. I don’t normally do that for precisely that reason. There are so many charities out there, I’d be spending all of my time researching charities instead of researching the creatures who keep you entertained. So stick with what you know.

  • An “Allied Veterans of the World” Update

    Well, it didn’t take too long for the curtain to rise on Act II of the Allied Veterans of the World drama.

    Earlier reports indicated the next phase would concentrate on campaign donations.  Those reports seem to have been correct.

    Persons tied to Allied Veterans and its software supplier, International Internet Technologies, apparently made donations to political candidates and parties totaling over $1.15 million – over $1 million in Florida, and over $150 thousand in North Carolina.  Donations were made to both Republican and Democratic candidates and organizations.

    Details so far don’t really seem to show any real “smoking gun”.  But the donations appear – in some cases at least – possibly to have targeted lawmakers playing key roles in regulating Allied Veterans’ gambling activities.

    There’s still no clear indication as to why Florida’s former Lieutenant Governor chose to resign immediately after being interviewed by investigators.  As was reported initially, she did work as a consultant for Allied Veterans prior to her election as Lieutenant Governor, and did so while serving as a state legislator.  But the newest information doesn’t seem to tie her directly to the scandal.

    Stay tuned.   This one might get even more interesting.

  • Yet Another Scam Veteran’s Charity?

    Looks like we may have yet another scam masquerading as a charity that “helps veterans”.  And it appears this one was no small-time scam, either.

    Florida-based Allied Veterans of the World was founded in 1979.  It first ran “bingo games”.  It’s since moved up to internet video gambling.

    It claimed to be raising money primarily for charity.  Indeed, in some states (like Florida), that’s the only reason their operation was legal.  Some states allow what would otherwise be illegal gambling activities so long as more than half of the proceeds in fact go to charity.

    Allied Veterans was quite successful.  From 2007 to 2012, they apparently took in around $290 million.

    The problem is, when authorities looked at their books they could only find about $6 million in charitable donations for the same period.  That’s just over 2% of intake.  Meanwhile, the guy heading Allied Veterans – a former president of the Jacksonville Bar Association – allegedly also received $6 million.

    Authorities found nearly $65 million in various bank accounts; these accounts have been seized.  And they also found that the organization’s execs seemed to be living the proverbial “Life of Riley” – complete with boats, beachfront condos, and high-end sports cars (Porsches, Ferraris, and Maseratis).

    A total of 57 arrest and 54 search warrants were executed in six states in connection with the Allied Veterans investigation.  Charges to be filed next week are expected to include racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, and possession of slot machines.  Additionally, the owner of what was apparently Allied Veterans’ partner – International Internet Technologies – and his spouse were also arrested and charged with racketeering and conspiracy.  International Internet Technologies supplied the software used in the internet gambling scheme.  According to IRS records they apparently made over $60 million dollars from the enterprise from 2007 to 2010.

    Florida’s current Lieutenant Governor has resigned due to the scandal.  It seems she’s appeared in at least one TV commercial (2011) lauding Allied Veterans and their work supporting vets.  Prior to being elected, her PR firm also worked for Allied Veterans.

    She resigned a day after being questioned in connection with the investigation.  She is not facing criminal charges.

    Investigation reportedly continues – focused on political donations and lobbying.  There may well be a second act to this little drama.

    Kudos to the State of Florida and their Attorney General’s office for putting these scammers out of business.