Frank Roach said he was raising money to send deployed soldiers care packages from Alaska.
But prosecutors say Roach's Kenai organization, Alaska Veteran Outreach Boxes for Heroes, is a scam and its founder used donations to pay for his own lifestyle.
Francis "Frank" Roach of Kenai, 52, was indicted on nine counts related to the alleged phony charity, including theft in the first degree, on May 4, according to Clint Campion of the State of Alaska Department of Law.
Roach started the organization in 2010, soliciting donations by phone and at retail stores from Homer to Wasilla.
According to prosecutors, an employee of Roach's complained to the Kenai Police Department in October 2011 that "Boxes for Heroes" wasn't doing what it purported to do.
"The employee believed the vast majority of the donations were not being used for shipping costs but were going to the pockets of those involved in the organization," the statement said.
Investigators found that the organization had raised $140,000 from April 2011 to October 2011.
According to prosecutors, Roach used some of the money to pay rent, eat at restaurants and buy a TV. The donations were his sole source of income, according to a prepared statement issued by the Department of Law.
Both Roach, the leader and founder of the organization, and the organization itself were charged, Campion said.
"He was the driving force," he said. "But there were others with it."
Roach had claimed associations with other organizations in the past, Campion said.
"There's no evidence that any prior employers are part of this scheme," he said.
Alaska Veterans Outreach Boxes for Heroes faces a fine of up to $2.5 million if convicted.
No other individuals have been named, but the investigation is ongoing, Campion said.
Telephone calls to Roach in Kenai were not returned Sunday.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 8 in Kenai.
Reach Michelle Theriault Boots at mtheriault@adn.com or 257-4344.
By MICHELLE THERIAULT BOOTS
Anchorage Daily News