NORFOLK, Va. - Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring says his office has shut down a charity he calls deceptive.
The charities, Center for American Homeless Veterans Inc. and Circle of Friends for American Veterans, were both run by Brian Arthur Hampton, according to Herring. The charities purported to raise money for homeless veterans, but instead the vast majority of the money went to paying telemarketers and the charity's staff.
Herring says the group misused about $13 million.
In an agreement with Herring, Hampton will shut down the charities, provide a $100,000 payment to be split among three charities to help veterans and no longer serve in a fiduciary role with any charity.
The charity was based in Falls Church. Its website and social media accounts appear to have been shut down.
News 3 reached out to an attorney for Hampton, but did not get an immediate response.
Herring and other attorneys general have been investigating the charity for years. A complaint filed against the charity says between October 2012 and September 2017, Center for American Homeless Veterans reported an income of $12,941,490, but only made grants of $4,413.
Related: Virginia Attorney General files legal action against two “fake” charities
“It is despicable that there are organizations out there that will deceive kind-hearted Virginians who just want to help homeless veterans in our communities,” said Herring in a statement. “My office will vigorously go after these bad actors who take advantage of the kindness of Virginians to benefit themselves. I would encourage Virginians to remain vigilant when donating to charities and make sure you are donating to trustworthy, legitimate organizations.”
