Federal Charges Allege Wounded Warrior Imposters

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler

Charges have been filed against four men in southeast Indiana accused of impersonating a national charity for veterans injured during service. The alleged scheme involved bilking donors out more than $125,000. United States Attorney Josh Minkler’s office says the defendants are accused of taking 1,000 cash, gift card, merchandise and in-kind donations from victims who believed they were supporting the well-known Wounded Warrior Project.

The money was alleged to have been pocketed by the defendants, James D. Linville of Clarksville, Thomas A. Johnson of Henryville, Amy L. Bennett of Henryville and Joanie Watson of Clarksville, who are said to have collected the donations through false charities filed with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office under the names of the Wounded Warrior Fund Inc. and the Wounded Warrior Foundation Inc. Neither were affiliated with the real Wounded Warrior Project organization.

Minkler says "our American veterans have dutifully served this country through many wars and deserve better than to be deprived of donations from giving donors. The acts of these fraudsters have eroded the trust and good will of those who want to contribute to legitimate fundraising organizations, including those that support our veterans."

The investigations were carried out by the United States Secret Service and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department. You can connect to more about the alleged scheme by clicking here. The defendants, if convicted, face up to 20 years in prison.