In a statement that reflects the ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of charitable organizations, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the sentencing of Guy A. Andonian, a former quartermaster of a central Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars post, who was found to have embezzled more than $35,000 from the post's charitable funds, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office.
“Today is a win for veterans and anyone else who relies on the integrity of Ohio charities,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in the mention, noting the commitment to serving those who serve and underlining the importance of accountability for those who misuse their position for personal benefit, the money which was pilfered between October 2017 and September 2019 was part of a check-writing scheme that preyed on the goodwill intended for veterans.
The investigation, which culminated in Andonian's guilty plea to telecommunications fraud, uncovered a fraudulent operation where checks earmarked as "help veterans in need" were cashed by co-conspirators, as detailed by the grand jury's indictment; this dishonesty and betrayal of trust were met with a sentence that includes full restitution and five years of community control, along with a ban on holding any fiduciary roles, reports the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office.
The Charitable Law Section carried out the investigation and prosecution of this case, which Yost's office prosecuted after being appointed as the special prosecutor by Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips, who sought to ensure that justice was served in a case that shook the foundations of trust within the veterans' community, and the office remains committed to the continued investigation into the fraudulent activity.
