Fraudulent Charities Help No One, Hurt Everyone

If I wanted to be the dirtiest, most low-down crook possible, I'd be Sidney Young, the operator of Our American Veterans, Inc. In 2007 alone, Young scammed almost $590,000 out of well-meaning citizens who donated to the "charity," which supposedly aided homeless veterans. (Only $3,725 in all went to vets.) Instead, the cash went to the fraud's family, friends and to OAVI employees and contractors.

Thankfully, our justice system hasn't failed us -- Young and his cohorts have been ordered to pay $118,252 in fines and restitution, thanks to Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster's "Operation Broken Charity." The order also denies the defendants permission to solicit in the state.

Initiated in May of last year, Koster's reprisal brings phony non-profits and bogus charities to justice. He called the exploitation of American veterans "contemptible," and said that the crimes will not be tolerated in Missouri.

It is sickening to know there are such rotten people in the world giving a bad name to legitimate charities and making Missourians hesitant to donate in the future for fear of being ripped off.

Groups such as Our American Veterans, Inc. capitalize on the tragedy of others' lives as if the poor, disabled and destitute exist to be taken advantage of. I am a huge fan of what Attorney General Chris Kosten has been doing to fight what appears to be an endless abundance of con men (and women). When I think of the money Young's telemarketers were able to collect, I think of what a difference it really could have made.

There is a lot you can do for homeless vets with more than half of a million dollars. The key is to actually distribute the funds you've raised -- you know, for clothes, shelter and food and stuff. Basically, the only way a charity for the homeless doesn't work is by using the funds to support those who are definitely not homeless. Not only has Sidney Young not helped, he has inflicted more damage by creating a climate of suspicion and mistrust when it comes to donating. I know people who won't make online donations because they can't trust their money will go to a legitimate cause. I also have a feeling the victims of fraudulent non-profits aren't too keen to reinvest in a charity. Furthermore, scams like these revictimize homeless vets who have already been suffering from a list of ailments -- especially our nation's tradition of blaming the poor. They don't need any more negative connotations.

Photo Credit: ab.photo