PENSACOLA — Gary R. Tomey II, 47, of Pace, was sentenced to 90 months in prison after he was found guilty of conspiracy and mail fraud during a two-week jury trial.
He was also ordered to pay a $1,219,129.46 forfeiture money judgment and $6,677 in restitution. Christopher P. Canova, United States attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.
Tomey owned and operated Children and Family Services Inc. (later called Children’s Charitable Services Inc.), which fraudulently solicited charitable donations by calling donors in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
Tomey instructed his employees to falsely tell donors that 100 percent of their donation went to the charity and that they were volunteers. They were also told to say the charity was located in and only helped the donor’s home state. However, employees earned a commission-based hourly wage and worked from a call center in Milton.
Of the more than $1.2 million raised in donations, just 1.5 percent actually went to a charitable cause. The rest paid wages, business expenses and Tomey’s personal expenses.
Tomey’s sentence was enhanced because he committed his fraud through telemarketing and because he victimized more than 10 people over age 55.
“Fraudsters who exploit the charitable spirit of the American people, and especially those who prey upon the generosity of our seniors, can count on a thorough scrutiny and aggressive prosecution by this office,” Canova said.
“When individuals misuse funds intended for a charitable purpose, it harms all donors and honest non-profit organizations,” said Charles P. Spencer, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “The FBI is committed to investigating and rooting out this type of corruption, whether it happens in a public office or a non-profit organization.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace man sentenced for charity telemarketing fraud