BEVERLY HILLS : Former Charity Worker Charged in Alleged Scam
Los Angeles City Atty. James Hahn filed criminal charges Wednesday against a man who allegedly tried to pocket donations intended for a charity.
Hahn alleged that Barry Aldon Thomas, 31, ran the “first charity scam of the holiday season.”
The Los Angeles man, who once worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., allegedly sent out appeals for donations in the association’s name.
The letters were written on what appeared to be legitimate association stationery and were accompanied by an authentic copy of the organization’s federal tax-exempt status.
Thomas allegedly claimed that the association had moved to Beverly Hills, and he asked that prospective donors send money to the new address, which turned out to be a mail drop that he rented, Hahn said.
The investigation began after a worker at a Warner Bros. Studio Store got a letter and checked with the association to verify the letter’s claims.
Thomas was charged with two counts of attempted theft and charity fraud. He is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 14 in Los Angeles Municipal Court.
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