AG Yost Shuts Down Eight ‘Knock-off’ Sham Charities

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Five people involved in eight “charities” whose names were stolen from reputable organizations to lend credence to their scam have been ordered to pay a combined $190,000 in civil penalties and banned from associating with any charitable organization in the future, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.

As recommended in a complaint filed by Yost, a Franklin County Common Pleas judge has also ordered that the articles of incorporation be canceled for the following groups, none of which was affiliated with the established charities of similar names:

- American Cancer Society of Cincinnati Inc.

- American Cancer Society of Cleveland Inc.

- American Cancer Society of Ohio Inc.

- American Cancer Foundation of Cincinnati Inc.

- American Cancer Foundation of Cleveland Inc.

- American Cancer Foundation of Ohio Inc.

- American Cancer Foundation of Columbus Inc.

- United Way of Ohio Inc.

“These scammers were pretending to be big-time charities to swindle money from Ohioans,” Yost said.

“But playtime is over, and the jig is up on your sham operation.”

In overseeing the charitable sector, the Ohio Attorney General's Office works to protect charities and their beneficiaries and to ensure that donations are appropriately used for the missions of the organizations.

The five individuals named in the lawsuit are: Ian R. Hosang, Jomar Holmes, Rhett Mcintosh, Judith A. Culzac, Claudia Stephen. Legal action has also been taken against Hosang in Michigan, Washington, New York and other states where he set up dozens of similar fake charities.

The Franklin County judgment bans all five defendants from incorporating, organizing or serving in any fiduciary capacity for a charitable organization.

“I’m extremely proud of the ongoing work our team does to protect Ohpioa-rtly ans’ wallets,” Yost said.