LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Stan Curtis, the founder of USA Harvest, faces federal charges claiming he stole money more than $180,000 from a charity he founded.
Curtis faces charges of mail fraud, money laundering, and filing false income tax returns with the IRS. Federal authorities say Curtis stole $183,354 in donations that he solicited for the charity from September 2005 through September 2007.
Prosecutors say he used the money for meals, entertainment and travel. Curtis could not be reached for comment, but his attorney Scott C. Cox hinted at a plea deal, but stopped short saying only "I think the matter could be resolved quickly."
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky says Curtis deposited $164,620 into his personal account and cashed donation checks totaling $18,734. It also says Curtis did not report the $183,354 as income with the IRS.
The charges also say Curtis didn't report over half a million dollars in personal income he received from USA Harvest, including the stolen donations and over $370,000 in personal travel expenses he charged to the charity.
Curtis also founded Kentucky Harvest and Blessings in a Backpack, which are not mentioned in the charges. Authorities point out that none of the charities has been accused of any wrongdoing.
Steve Pence, attorney for Kentucky Harvest and Blessings in a Backpack, tells WDRB News, "They believed that some of the people in our organization may have known something. We cooperated gave them all the documents. We're very happy that it doesn't involve Blessings in a Backpack."
Kentucky Harvest also released a statement, saying, "We are saddened by the news related to Mr. Curtis. As stated by the U.S. Attorney, Kentucky Harvest was never part of any investigation. Our mission of raising food for those less fortunate will continue, with the help of the good people in our community."
Blessings in a Backpack also released a statement through its CEO and CFO Kevin Beam: "We are sad to learn Stan Curtis has been charged with felonies wholly unrelated to his tenure at Blessings in a Backpack. We are gratified that Blessings was at no time wronged by Mr. Curtis, as validated in the U.S. Attorney's press release earlier today. As an organization we remain focused on feeding children one backpack at a time, one school at a time."
Scott C. Cox, the attorney for Stan Curtis, respectfully declined to comment on the charges. "We don't want to comment on the charges at this point."
Curtis's phone is not accepting calls. He is no longer on the boards of either Kentucky Harvest or Blessing in a Backpack -- he left those posts within the past year.
If convicted, Curtis could face up to 52 years in prison, a $1,150,000 fine, and three years probation.
WDRB Facebook fans were quick to respond to the news:
The Kentucky Harvest website features the story of how Curtis came up with the idea for the organization in June of 1987. It says Curtis was about to order green beans at Morrison's Cafeteria when the partially empty pan was removed and a full one put into place. When Curtis asked where the leftover beans went, he was told they were thrown away in favor of fresh beans.
That led Curtis to form Kentucky Harvest and ask for restaurants, bakeries, schools, and other outlets to donate their unused food, which volunteers delivered to the needy.
In 1989, the concept went national with USA Harvest. That organization's website boasts of having 125,000 volunteers and chapters in over 130 cities. It says it serves over 5400 agencies nationwide.
USA Harvest also points out that by providing such food, agencies who help the needy have more money to spend on clothing, shelter, job training, and drug and alcohol rehab.
Blessings in a Backpack distributes backpacks filled with "kid-friendly" food including granola bars, raisin, applesauce, mac and cheese, and other items. The backpacks are distributed through the children's schools. It serves 37 schools in the JCPS system.
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