Charity Scam


Main Page What's New Forms Fee Schedule Office Directory Where Do I Find? Search Feedback

Boards & Commissions
Business Filings
Business Opportunities
Employment Agencies
Municipal Incorporations
Municipal Annexations
Notaries & Apostilles
Other Helpful  Links
Press Releases
Public Charities
Service of Process
Special Purpose Districts
Trademarks
Uniform Commercial Code

 

 

VETERANS’ CHARITY SCAM OPERATOR PLEADS GUILTY 

A Charleston man has plead guilty to “obtaining goods under false pretenses” for his participation in a scheme of calling citizens to contribute to a charity known as Southern Veterans’ Services. There was no such charity. Richard Erwin Capello of Charleston pled guilty to the charges on April 11 and received a sentence of 3 years suspended to 3 years probation and a payment of $3,000 in restitution to Secretary of State Jim Miles’ Office. Capello’s only prior record is for fraudulent checks. 

According to Secretary of State Jim Miles, the $3,000 restitution fee will be held in trust to be given to the Division of Veterans’ Affairs. 

“Our state’s veterans were cheated out of the generous donations from citizens who thought they were giving to assist in meeting veterans’ needs,” said Miles. “At the very least, the $3,000 in restitution will go toward that goal.” 

Miles said that the restitution fee was based on how much money had been fraudulently raised from citizens. Since Capello was operating under the direction of William Dale Ribbeck, who previously pled guilty in the Southern Veterans’ Services scam, it is difficult to determine exactly how much of the fraudulently obtained money Capello is responsible for. The plea was handled by the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and was taken by The Honorable Daniel E. Martin. If Capello doesn’t pay the restitution owed, his probation can be revoked. 

Miles commended the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office on their handling of the case and urged South Carolinians to contact the Secretary of State’s Office to check out an unfamiliar charity before making a contribution. 

Miles added, “Before you write the check, check it out!” 

To contact the charities division of the Office of Secretary of State Jim Miles, call (803) 734-2170.

 

 

Main Page ] Back ] What's New ] Forms ] Fee Schedule ] Office Directory ] Where Do I Find? ] Search ] Feedback ] [Back to Top]

 

Postal Address
P.O. Box 11350
Columbia, SC  29211
Physical Address
Edgar Brown Building
1205 Pendleton Street Suite 525
Columbia, SC 29201

 

PLEASE NOTE:  The information on this page is a brief synopsis and should not be construed as the governing   statute.  The information contained in this site is considered accurate at the time of publication. We try to update this site frequently but the information contained herein is subject to change or modification. If you have further questions, you may wish to consult the person given as the contact for the respective divisions. The information contained in this site is not a substitute for legal counsel. You may need to contact a private attorney if you need legal advice or assistance. If you discover any errors in this site, please let us know by e-mailing our  webmaster.