(MARYSVILLE, Ohio) — A North Carolina man has been indicted by a grand jury on four felony counts related to the theft of more than $35,000 from a Columbus Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips announced today.
As detailed in the Union County indictment, Guy A. Andonian was serving as the quartermaster of VFW Post 4044 when he allegedly engaged in a check-writing scheme and stole $35,007.30 from the post’s charitable accounts.
“Stealing from a VFW post isn’t just a theft of money – it’s a betrayal of the very values our veterans fought to uphold,” Yost said.
Andonian is charged with one count each of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F2) and telecommunications fraud (F3) and two counts of grand theft (F4).
An arrest warrant has been issued for him in North Carolina.
Investigators found that between October 2017 and September 2019, while Andonian was living and working in Ohio, checks with notes in the memo line such as “help veterans in need” were being issued from the VFW post’s charitable accounts to be cashed by co-conspirators in Union County. The co-conspirators turned roughly 50% of the stolen money over to Andonian.
The case was investigated by the Charitable Law Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from Phillips’ office.
Indictments merely contain allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court.
Ohioans who suspect misuse of charitable funds or fraudulent fundraising activities should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or charitable.ohioago.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly May: 614-813-7419
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