Va. Regulators Allege Fraud by Navy Veterans Charity

The U.S. Navy Veterans Association fraudulently solicited at least $2-million from Virginia residents, according to an investigation by the state’s consumer-affairs office, The Washington Post reports.

The agency has now sent its report to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who last year gave up $55,000 in campaign contributions from the Florida charity amid investigations in several states of the group and its founder, who went by the name Bobby Thompson.

The man, whose real identity is unknown, has been missing since last year. He and another former official with the association–which raised funds nationwide that it said would be used to assist Navy veterans and their families–have been charged with fraud in Ohio.

Mr. Cucinelli said he is now reviewing the report to decide to proceed, but said he was “incensed” that any fraud had happened in the name of victims.

On Tuesday the Virginia General Assembly voted to reinstate a requirement that veterans charities register with the state, the Roanoke Times writes. The requirement had been lifted last year at the urging of a lobbyist for the U.S. Navy Veterans Association.