YORK COUNTY, NC (WBTV) -The York County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman they say fraudulently promised to raise money for a family’s medical bills. 51-year-old Bennie Lynn Clawson of McConnells, SC, is charged with Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent (Value over $10,000).
Investigators say Clawson set up online internet auctions to help raise money for the medical bills of a man in Hernando, MS. But then investigators say Clawson did not give the family all of the money she raised.
In February, George Ready of Hernando, MS contacted the York County Sheriff’s Office to report that Clawson had set up online internet auctions to help raise money for his son who was involved in an accident.
People from across the nation participated in the online auctions by donating items and services and purchasing the same in an effort to help the Ready family. After one of the auctions, Ready noticed that items from the auction had been purchased, however, he had not received any checks from Clawson.
During the investigation, detectives served a search warrant at Clawson’s residence and seized several items which indicated that Clawson had taken cash, cashed checks and received monies through a PayPal account that were intended for the George Ready Fund.
Detectives established that Clawson had taken in excess of $10,000, but the investigation is ongoing. Clawson has been charged with one count of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent $10,000 or more and three counts of Forgery, less than $10,000. If convicted Clawson could receive up to twenty-five years in prison.
Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved. www.wbtv.com
