A recently captured fugitive suspected of running a scam that collected up to $100 million in donations for U.S. Navy veterans pleaded not guilty Tuesday to state charges, and a judge wary that he might disappear again ordered him kept locked up.
The man calls himself Bobby Thompson, though authorities don't believe that's his name but have been unable to identify him otherwise.
The man was arrested last week in Portland, Ore., by U.S. marshals after nearly two years as a fugitive.
Authorities believe he defrauded donors of up to $100 million in 41 states since 2001, including $2 million in Ohio. A fraction of the money has been found.
Authorities say Thompson's Tampa, Fla.-based charity, known as the U.S. Navy Veterans Association, made a few sporadic contributions that benefited veterans, but public records show the man behind it contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to political candidates around the country.
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