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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. |
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