December 17, 2009

LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the arrest of a Lansing area man accused of preying on mid-Michigan residents' generosity by placing charitable donation collection boxes in nearly 90 local businesses as a part of a "Missing Children" charity scam. 
 

Joseph Carr, 54, of Williamston is alleged to have placed collection boxes at 88 retail locations across Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Holt, Okemos and Williamston.  From February through June, 2009, Carr collected between $1,500 and $2,000 a month from unsuspecting customers who were told their donations would be used to help find missing children through an organization called the "Beacon Project."  Instead, Carr allegedly used the money to pay his personal living expenses.
 

"Taking advantage of residents who want to help reunite missing children with their families is beyond the pale," said Cox.  "This Christmas season, thousands of local charities across the state continue to serve Michigan residents.  We are working every day to weed out the few bad apples."
 

The result of a joint investigation with the Michigan State Police, investigators from the Attorney General's office arrested the defendant today.  He is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in 54B District Court in East Lansing.  Carr faces one count of false pretenses over $1,000, a five-year felony, one count of soliciting charitable donations without a license, a six-month misdemeanor, and one count of acting as a professional fundraiser without filing a license application, a six-month misdemeanor.  
 

Michigan law requires most charities apply for and receive a solicitation license from the Attorney General's Office.  Professional fundraisers, like Carr, who receive money for soliciting charitable donations must also obtain a license and maintain a $10,000 bond for the protection of charities and the public.  
 

For tips on wise charitable giving, or to see if a charity is licensed to solicit in Michigan, please visit www.michigan.gov/ag and click on "Charities," or call the Attorney General's Charitable Trust Section at (517) 373-1152.
 

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Click here for a list of Michigan businesses that displayed these containers.

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