The FBI's Most Wanted Veterans Charity Scammer: Part 1

Published: May 3, 2019, 4:01 a.m.

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The U.S. Navy Veterans Association claimed to be a charity headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded by Bobby Thompson, known to top politicians as a retired lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, the charity\\u2019s stated purpose was to support veterans and their families.\\xa0Using telemarketing firms, the association secured contributions from donors big and small, collecting from everyday people who wanted to honor the service of men and woman in the U.S. military by giving back to veterans in need. While that was a noble cause, nothing about the U.S. Navy Veterans Association was what it seemed. Buoyed by the eccentric Bobby Thompson, the association thrived on more than $20 million in revenue. Thompson\\u2019s status as a well-respected fundraiser allowed him to circulate among Washington\\u2019s elite, pose for pictures with presidents and donate large sums to political campaigns under the guise of championing veterans. But when Jeff Testerman, an investigative journalist from Florida, tracked Thompson down to ask a simple question about one of his political donations, Thompson was evasive and combative. Testerman knew there was a secret hiding behind Thompson\\u2019s behavior and dug in. Little did Testerman know how deep the lies and secrets of the charity and Thompson went. The U.S. Navy Veterans Association wasn\\u2019t sending money to veterans; it was an elaborate scam. And Jeff Testerman discovered that its founder was not a retired naval officer \\u2014 nor was his name Bobby Thompson.

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