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LISBON -- A preliminary injunction hearing to stop an alleged fake charity which solicited donations claiming to be for East Palestine residents has been moved to 1 p.m. May 2.
The hearing was originally scheduled for Thursday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Scott Washam, but after meeting via telephone with all parties, the temporary restraining order was extended and the date reset.
The lawsuit was filed April 10 by Ohio Attorney General David Yost against the Ohio Clean Water Fund and its founder, Michael Peppel of Leetonia.
Washam granted Yost's motion for the temporary restraining order last week to stop Peppel's alleged illegal activity, prohibit him from engaging in additional charitable solicitations and preserve existing charitable assets.
According to the lawsuit, out of $141,183 raised from 3,269 donors, at least $91,769 of the funds went to administrative fees. Out of the $35,295 remaining, only $10,000 went to the Second Harvest Food Bank which Peppel claimed to be representing when in reality, there was no connection to the food bank.
Michael Iberis, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank, filed a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's Office on March 30 about Peppel and the Ohio Clean Water Fund, noting no partnership had been approved as claimed by Peppel who was soliciting contributions via emails and text messages.
A woman had also filed a complaint the day before on March 29 about a possible scam after she received a text requesting donations for the Ohio Clean Water Fund.
Claims against Peppel and Ohio Clean Water Fund include committing deceptive acts or practice, misrepresenting contributions for a charitable organization without written authorization, misleading persons as to material facts concerning solicitation, failure to register with the Secretary of State's Office as a charity, unlawful professional solicitation and breach of fiduciary duties.