Tag: Georgia

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Georgia secretary of state warns of Ukraine charities scam

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is warning Peach State residents to be aware of scam charities seeking to profit from the crisis in Ukraine.

Raffensperger encourages Georgians to be watchful that their donations go to legitimate organizations and support the intended recipients.

“As Secretary of State, it is my duty to warn the people of Georgia about the scams and frauds looking to take advantage of their good will and generosity,” said Raffensperger. “I encourage my fellow Georgians to support the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom. But they should make sure their support is going to real charities who will actually send their dollars to the right cause.”

Raffensperger offers the following tips you should consider before making a charitable contribution:

▪Research Online – If there is a charitable organization or cause to which you would like to donate, research online beforehand to ensure the charity is right for you. The Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, Guidestar, and other websites provide evaluations of different charitable organizations.

▪Check For Charity Filings – Before making any donation, be sure to confirm the organization you are supporting is a legitimate 501(c)(3) charity. Ask for the organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and search it on the IRS website, or look for the organization’s 990 tax filings.

▪Effectiveness Matters – Take the time to look at an organization’s financial situation. Tools available online, such as those mentioned above, will provide you with information necessary to ascertain how much of your contribution will actually go to those in need versus administrative or other costs. Ask what percentage of your donation will go to relief efforts.

▪Do not share personal financial information over the phone – Do not share your credit card, debit card, or bank account information over the phone. Donate by check or credit card, rather than cash. And send the contribution directly to the organization rather than through a third party. If you donate more than $250, the organization should send you a letter confirming the size of your donation.

▪Tax Deductible Donations – If making a tax-deductible donation is important to you, search the database of tax-exempt organizations available on the IRS website. Before making your donation, ensure the charity you have identified is in fact tax deductible. Then, once you have made the donation, be sure to get a receipt for your contribution.

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Carr Announces Indictment of 14 Defendants in Cherokee on Charges of Human Trafficking, Racketeering, Gang Activity, Charity Fraud, and Money Laundering

Attorney General Chris Carr today announced the indictment of 14 defendants on 15 charges of Human Trafficking, Racketeering, Criminal Street Gang Activity, Charity Fraud, and Money Laundering.

“We will charge gang members who try to exploit our children in order to further their criminal enterprise,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We will not tolerate it, and we look forward to presenting our case in court.”

The Office of the Attorney General is alleging that the defendants in this case operated a labor-intensive human trafficking ring under the guise of a fraudulent charity known as Georgia Peach Youth Club of America Inc. in order to fund criminal street gang activity. The alleged criminal enterprise connected with these crimes is the Nine Trey Bloods – a subset of the United Blood Nation which is a well-known criminal street gang out of Los Angeles.

Attorney General Carr’s Prosecution Division presented evidence to a Cherokee County grand jury, resulting in the indictment of fourteen Defendants* on Monday, August 9, 2021. Specifically, the indictment charges the defendants with the following which, if convicted, can carry the respective penalties:

  • JAMAINNE CHARLES HALL – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 186 years
  • MIGUEL J. BAEZ, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 186 years
  • JULE W. HUSTON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 126 years
  • RONALD JOHN CROWE, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 126 years
  • ROBERT PETER BLACKWOOD, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 161 years
  • ROMAINE MATTHEW ROBERTS, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • KAVON KEITH THOMPSON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • KIYA A. JEFFERSON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • DOMINIQUE PROVOST, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • KIVA VIOLA CLARKE, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • ISAIAH RUBEN CORDERO, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • NATHAN JAMES JACKSON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • RAHEEM ICARUS POPLEY CARVEY, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
  • AARON YUSEF ABDULLAH, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is the lead investigative agency on this case. The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office – through the Charities Division – made the initial referral and assisted in this investigation.

“Top priorities for the GBI are to conduct criminal street gang, human trafficking, and crimes against children investigations,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vic Reynolds. “This case is an example of our commitment to working with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office to conduct cases that lead to successful prosecutions.”

The indictment is attached, and no further information about the investigation or about the defendant’s alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.