By Allen Tsai | Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:15 am |
Domingo Frias-Payan, 24, and Heather Frias-Payan, 25, have been accused of duping residents in a cell phone donation charity scam spanning 41 states. Claiming to be collecting phones for battered women and the disabled, the couple has been charged with one felony count of racketeering and 11 counts of violating the Oklahoma Solicitation of Charitable Contributions Act.
"These people were bold in their solicitations," said Attorney General Drew Edmondson, seeking donations from individuals, businesses, cell phone companies and even police departments."Our investigation determined and we allege that cell phones solicited on behalf of battered women's shelters, domestic violence victims, the elderly or disabled were actually sold for the couple's personal profit." Of the estimated 100,000 phones collected by the couple's Save a Life Give a Phone Foundation, only about 300 were ever donated to the needy. The rest were sold for approximately $1.2 million and deposited into personal bank accounts. Defense attorney Billy Coyle said the couple did nothing wrong. "I truly believe the AG's office has blown this out of proportion," Coyle said. "Basically, our position is my clients did nothing wrong and there was no criminal intent." "After the Frias-Payans became aware of our investigation, they added a disclaimer to the Save a Life Web site saying that a portion of the proceeds were donated to charity. It's a little late for that," Edmondson said.
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