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Woman charged for alleged fund-raising scam By SARAH LEMON A Medford woman who said she was collecting money for a worthy cause may have to pay it back in spades, police say. Trena Kim McGraw, 32, was charged with second-degree theft Monday for allegedly stealing money and other items donated to a fund-raising drive that police say she organized to benefit the American Red Cross and the New York Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund. Medford police Lt. Mike Moran said McGraw held a car wash and raffle fund-raiser at the Medford Shopping Center the last two weekends in September to gather money for the two charitable causes. The slogan "United We Stand" helped promote the event, he said, and the fund-raiser was featured on a local television news broadcast. McGraw and other fund-raiser participants told police they gathered about $1,600 in cash and checks. But the Red Cross did not give McGraw written consent to use its name, as required by law, Moran said. Police found cash and checks - many made out to the Red Cross - in McGraw's possession. She had spent some of the cash on rent, police said. "I think she started out with good intentions," Moran said. "That's very nice, but follow the rules." Under state law, fund-raising groups collecting money for nonprofit organizations must register with Oregon's attorney general, whose office will evaluate the case to determine if McGraw violated consumer protection laws, Moran said. McGraw, who lives on the 400 block of Summit Avenue, could not be reached for comment after numerous attempts. She will appear in court Nov. 15. McGraw and two other suspects interviewed by police said that all the money collected was accounted for when it was seized as case evidence, said Moran. But police said they have no way of verifying that through an outside source. McGraw also opened an account at Evergreen Federal that apparently was intended to receive the donations, said Moran. But there were no deposits, he said. McGraw established it as a personal account on Sept. 21 and closed it on Oct. 1, said Moran. The bank did nothing illegal, he said. McGraw never contacted the Red Cross to get permission to raise funds or to hand over donations, said Marj Jameson, executive director of the Red Cross' Rogue Valley chapter. The Red Cross doesn't approve informal fund-raisers in which a Red Cross staff member is not present to account for money taken in, she said. "It's just kind of disheartening because there are so many people out there doing so many wonderful things to raise money," Jameson said. Detectives did not disclose how much donated money McGraw spent. Second-degree theft is a class A misdemeanor charge, applying to stolen property valued between $50 and $750. If convicted, McGraw could face a maximum $5,000 fine and up to a year in prison. Police also seized several raffle prizes, including sports equipment and local restaurant gift certificates. McGraw allegedly kept some of the donated prizes, which now will be returned to the businesses that donated them. The cash and checks found in McGraw's possession are still considered case evidence and eventually will be routed to the intended charities, Moran said. "Everybody is caught up in the need to do their part, but they need to use old-fashioned caution," he said. The Red Cross always encourages donors to contribute money directly to the nonprofit group, Jameson said. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.