Ohio AG shuts down 8 sham charities

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is shutting down eight sham “charities” across the state and fining those involved.

Reputable organizations had their names stolen to form eight “charities” in order to help make scams believable, according to a spokesperson from the Attorney General’s office.

>> Bus driver, aide placed on leave after preschool student left on bus for hours in Mercer County

In a complaint filed in Franklin County Common Pleas court, a judge recommended that the articles of incorporation be canceled for the following groups. The complaint noted that none of the following groups were affiliated with the established charities of similar names:

• American Cancer Society of Cincinnati Inc.
• American Cancer Society of Cleveland Inc.
• American Cancer Society of Ohio Inc.
• American Cancer Foundation of Cincinnati Inc.
• American Cancer Foundation of Cleveland Inc.
• American Cancer Foundation of Ohio Inc.
• American Cancer Foundation of Columbus Inc.
• United Way of Ohio Inc.

>> Tecumseh teacher files lawsuit against district, superintendent after 2021 altercation with student

The following five people involved with those “charities” have been ordered to pay a combined $190,000 in civil penalties:

• Ian R. Hosang
• Jomar Holmes
• Rhett McIntosh
• Judith A. Culzac
• Claudia Stephen

Additionally, those five individuals have been banned from associating with any charitable organizations in the future.

“These scammers were pretending to be big-time charities to swindle money from Ohioans,” Yost said. “But playtime is over, and the jig is up on your sham operation.”

Yost recommended that Ohioans use the online tools provided by the Charitable Law Section of his office before donating to a charity. Those tools can be found here.

© 2023 Cox Media Group