'Scams happen much too often in law enforcement'
OSAGE BEACH -- Dennis Lutz racked up hundreds of miles driving across the state.
His boss, a Florida man by the name of Todd Kelvin, would cold call restaurants in the area. Once he got a "hit" he would then tell Lutz where to go to collect the donations.
This "courier" job, advertised on the Missouri Career Center's job Web site, now appears to be a scam. The ad has since been removed and Kelvin's phone is now disconnected. But Lutz and several others say they're still owed money.
'Blatantly bogus'
Todd Kelvin hired Lutz a month ago to go from restaurant to restaurant across the state, collecting money for the Disabled Police Officers of America, a charity based in Florida.
The only identification Lutz was given was a poorly photocopied letter from the DPOA - enough to make local cops suspicious.
Lutz says he finally got suspicious too, when "I got investigated down at the Lake by the police officers and they told me not to come back down there."
Chief Dave Severson runs the Osage Beach Police Department. It was his officers who stopped Lutz - he says, for good reason.
"It was in there words so blatantly bogus," said Severson. "That it just couldn't be legit."
With no proper identification, and no way to verify the money was actually going to the police charity, Severson says it just didn't add up.
"Certainly the way they're collecting money and telemarketing for the money," he said. It "certainly sounds like it's not legit."
'Scams in law enforcement happen much too often'
A mid-Missouri police charity heard about the scam and says it's all part of "deceptive fundraising" that's fairly prevalent with law enforcement charities.
"Much to everyone's surprise the scams and the frauds happen much too often in law enforcement," said Suzie Sawyer with the Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).
COPS is a national charity based in Camdenton, started by 10 police widows. They will celebrate their 25th anniversary next week.
"Anytime when you're in the non-profit field, and money is so hard to come by, you scrimp and save for every penny," said Sawyer. When "someone walks off with it, it makes us real angry."
Sawyer says she feels bad for Lutz and others who didn't get their money and questions whether the DPOA is getting their fare share. She says she knows lots of operations that collect millions but only give a fraction to police officers.
A watchdog charity Web site says the DPOA spends 85 percent on fundraising but Sawyer says that's actually good, considering many spend up to 95 percent.
She says the DPOA is a legitimate organization but she's pretty sure the man taking money for them, Todd Kelvin, is not.
"The Disabled Police Officers of America do need assistance," said Sawyer. "But they certainly don't need it through a telemarketing solicitor that's gonna run off with their money."
Read the statement from the president of the DPOA, Terry Morrison:
"Todd Kelvin is an independent contractor who has a fundraising company called Kelvin and Associates. He has a fundraising contract with the DPOA to collect donations and produce an ad book. The terms of the agreement are a 50-50 split of the donations. All expenses, such as printing, postage, rent, utilities, etc., are entirely the responsibility of Kelvin and Associates. The couriers Todd Kelvin hires are his employees, not employees of the DPOA. "
"I would appreciate it if you would clarify who the scam is about. The Disabled Police Officers of America has done nothing wrong and helps police officers across the country by providing scholarships and financial assistance awards."
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