Man accused of US Navy vet scam indicted in Ohio

[October 16, 2010]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- A grand jury in Cleveland has charged the director of a Florida-based charity that purported to raise money for U.S. Navy veterans with corruption and theft charges.

The indictment issued Wednesday charges the man who uses the false identity of Bobby Thompson with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft and money laundering. Authorities don't know the suspect's real name.

The Ohio Attorney General's office says the man and a co-conspirator, Blanca Contreras, bilked at least 50,000 Ohio residents out of at least $1.9 million.

Contreras also was charged Wednesday. She was arrested Friday in North Carolina, where the Mecklenburg County Jail did not list an attorney for her.

A message was left with an Ohio law firm representing the U.S. Navy Veterans Association.

An arrest warrant on identity fraud charges was issued in August for the man claiming to be Thompson. Authorities aren't releasing any information about the real Thompson.

[Associated Press]

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