IRVINE : 2 Held in Telephone Solicitation Scam
After a two-year investigation, two men have been arrested in connection with an alleged telephone solicitation scam during which callers would sometimes identify themselves as police officers seeking donations for charity.
Police began an investigation in 1991 after the We Tip organization canceled its contract with the Anaheim-based Telmar solicitation company, Irvine Lt. Sam Allevato said. Telmar solicited donations in Irvine, Allevato said.
Through their investigation, police discovered that about $29,000 had been diverted from donations intended for We Tip and local police departments.
The company allegedly deposited donations into its own account when the money was supposed to go into an account controlled by the charity, Allevato said. Telmar also continued to solicit donations on behalf of the charity after the contract was canceled, he said.
Irvine police investigators arrested John D. Pate, 60, of Paramount on suspicion of grand theft last Friday. On Monday, Pate’s business associate, Kenneth W. Dischner, 33, of Orange turned himself in.
Both are being held at Orange County Jail on $25,000 bail.
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