Fake charity ordered to turn over donations after claiming to help East Palestine residents

COLUMBUS — A fake charity must turn over its donations after claiming it was helping the East Palestine residents.

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In a settlement with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio Clean Water Fund (OCWF) must hand over more than $131,000 in pocketed donations so it benefits the people of East Palestine, Ohio AG Dave Yost said Wednesday.

“I stand by my word to fight for the community of East Palestine,” he said.

Yost’s initial lawsuit alleged OCWF claimed to be operating on behalf of Second Harvest Food Bank and raised at least $141,000 to provide bottled water and emergency aid following the February train derailment in East Palestine, according to the Ohio AG’s office.

“We sued to make sure the contributions improperly solicited from well-intentioned donors get into the hands of people who will use them for their intended purposes,” said Yost. “Our fight isn’t over, but this is a win.”

The food bank said it had not given OCWF permission to fundraise on its behalf.

The also lawsuit revealed they sent only $10,000 to the food bank while pocketing the rest, Yost said.

The settlement also includes a dismissal of claims against the OCWF and one of its board members, Patrick Lee.

The Ohio Clean Water Fund must pay at least $131,000, including $116,000 in restitution and $15,000 in civil penalties.

They also must dissolve and Lee is barred from soliciting money for a charity in the future.

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