Vet charity theft case continues
Multiple agencies now investigating
A multi-jurisdictional investigation has commenced in the case of a La Plata man accused of stealing donation money from solicitors as well as soliciting materials while employed with the Southern Maryland Veterans Association, following a district court decision May 12 to dismiss his charges.
Norman Randall McDonald, 48, was indicted on charges of theft scheme between $10,000 to $100,000 and theft valued between $10,000 and $100,000 for the alleged incidents, court records show. At a district court proceeding May 12, both charges were dismissed for further investigation to be conducted.
McDonald worked as the solicitation supervisor for the Southern Maryland Veterans Association until Christmas. While in this position, from June 1 to Dec. 24, 2015, he allegedly collected donation containers from the association’s solicitors and reportedly pocketed those funds. Authorities believe McDonald embezzled $6,000 in community donated funds during this time period, according to court documents.
McDonald was fired by the organization for allegedly failing to forward the collected funds to the proper recipients or provide receipts, as required by company policy. He further allegedly stole $4,000 worth of soliciting materials, signs, donation containers, labels, computers and other materials belonging to Southern Maryland Veterans Association, charging documents allege. Several attempts to reach out to McDonald and obtain the stolen property have failed.
After his termination, solicitors contacted the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and informed authorities of the alleged weekly thefts. McDonald allegedly intimidated solicitors through the use of physical force, employment threats or false claims of theft being brought against them, the documents state.
“There are open investigations [on McDonald] in Charles and St. Mary’s Counties,” Calvert County Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Rappaport wrote in an email Wednesday morning. “The three Southern Maryland jurisdictions are coordinating their investigations with each other.”
McDonald’s case is not the only controversy surrounding Southern Maryland Veterans Association. In February, after an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Secretary of State issued a cease-and-desist order to the charity, alleging multiple violations of the Maryland Solicitations Act, including misleading potential donors to a charitable organization, using false and misleading advertising in connection with a solicitation and failing to register with the secretary of state before soliciting.
In the following weeks, a district court decision resulted in the closure of a building the organization used to house veterans in Prince Frederick, stating the organization’s principal owner, Dan Brashear, breached his lease with unlawful use of the commercial property.
In 2013, Brashear — whose history includes a second-degree murder conviction for which he served 22 years — faced similar issues when he was accused of operating a fraudulent veterans organization in Western Maryland.
Brashear previously has said he plans to fight both the district court ruling and the state.
Ruth Bishop, 84, of Oxon Hill, MD died May 18, 2016. Arrangements by Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, MD.
Debra Verstalla Johnson, 54, of Bryans Road, MD died May 24, 2016. Arrangements by Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, MD.
Patricia E. Dowe, 57, of Waldorf, MD, passed away on May 18, 2016 at Charles Regional Medical Center.
On Friday, May 20, 2016, Thelma M. Washington, 56, of Waldorf, passed away peacefully at John Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, MD.
Marcella Dorothy Corrinne, 94, of Waldorf, MD, died May 23, 2016 at her residence. Wife of the late Eugene A. Corrinne. Raymond Funeral Service 301-934-2920/www.raymondfuneral. com for funeral details.
Brian K. Franklin Sr., 51, of Lexington, MD, passed away on May 13, 2016 in Washington, DC. Arrangements by: Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD 20601.
John Wesley Browning, 71, of Suitland, MD, died May 23, 2016. Contact Raymond Funeral Service, 301-934-2920/www.raymondfuneralservice.com for funeral info.