KANSAS CITY, MO – A Maple Heights, Ohio man is facing federal charges after allegedly running a $25,000 charity scam targeting NFL players. Camario A. Richardson, 38, is accused of pocketing money earmarked for school supplies and athletic shoes for children in need, leaving players scrambling to fulfill their charitable commitments.
Richardson was indicted on September 13, 2017, by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, but the indictment remained sealed until his arrest in Ohio on October 13, 2017. He appeared in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio and is now scheduled for further proceedings in Missouri on October 30, 2017. He’s facing one count of mail fraud and four counts of wire fraud – serious federal offenses with potentially hefty penalties.
The scheme, according to the indictment, revolved around promises of Nike-branded merchandise. Richardson allegedly contacted multiple NFL players, offering to supply backpacks and athletic shoes for charitable “Book Bag Giveaway” events. A Kansas City Chiefs player was promised 300 backpacks for a back-to-school drive, and handed over $6,000 in April 2016. But the backpacks never arrived. This wasn’t an isolated incident; Richardson allegedly repeated the con with players from three other teams.
The indictment details similar schemes targeting players on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cincinnati Bengals. Richardson allegedly took $6,480 from the Buccaneers player, $6,480 from the Colts player, and $4,320 from the Bengals player – all for backpacks he never delivered. He also allegedly took $1,500 from a San Diego Chargers player for athletic shoes that also never materialized. In each instance, the players were ultimately forced to purchase the goods themselves to keep their promises to the children they intended to help.
The total loss from Richardson’s alleged fraud scheme amounts to approximately $24,780. Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Larson emphasized that the indictment contains only accusations at this stage, and Richardson is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The U.S. Secret Service, along with the Lee’s Summit, Missouri Police Department, led the investigation into the fraudulent activity.
Criminal Division Chief Gene Porter is prosecuting the case. This isn’t just about the money; it’s about exploiting the goodwill of professional athletes and, more importantly, depriving children in need of essential school supplies. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they unfold. The indictment serves as a stark reminder that even those with good intentions can become victims of calculated fraud.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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