By Michael Bushnell
Northeast News
June 17, 2011

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced Friday that Richard Divers of Independence pled guilty to five counts of unlawful merchandising practices, a Class D felony involving fraudulently soliciting charitable donations.

According to Koster, Divers ran ads in area newspapers, including the Northeast News, hiring telemarketers and drivers to  pick up charitable donations. Divers’ telemarketing operation solicited donations for handicapped veterans, senior citizens, blind persons and an area Lions Club. According to court records, the Lions Club terminated its agreement with Divers and the other charities didn’t exist.

The case is being investigated as part of Operation Broken Charity, a nationwide sweep of fraudulent fundraisers claiming to help firefighters, police and veterans that Koster launched in 2009.

As per the plea agreement, Divers will serve a three-year prison sentence for each of the five charges. The sentences will run concurrently.