Plea is innocent in Navy vet scam

CLEVELAND — A recently captured fugitive suspected of running a scam that collected up to $100 million in donations for U.S. Navy veterans pleaded innocent Tuesday to state charges.

The man calls himself Bobby Thompson, though authorities don’t believe that’s his name but can’t identify him otherwise.

The man was arrested last week in Portland, Ore., by U.S. marshals after nearly two years as a fugitive.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Hollie Gallagher refused to set bail for him, saying she was not satisfied he would appear in court if he’s released.

Authorities believe he has defrauded donors of up to $100 million in 41 states since 2001, including $2 million in Ohio.

The charges against the man include racketeering, money-laundering, identity theft, records tampering and theft.

Thompson, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, sat with his manacled hands on his lap, smiling slightly when the prosecutor mentioned Thompson’s refusal to cooperate in identifying himself.

Authorities say they traced the name Bobby Thompson to a Choctaw who worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and wasn’t connected to the charity case. Authorities say he had his identity stolen, including his Social Security number and date of birth.