VCSO Arrests Ormond Man Who Used His Veterans Charity To Defraud Donors

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Ormond Beach, FL - Volusia Sheriff's detectives have arrested a 46-year-old Ormond Beach man for scamming supporters of his military veterans foundation. Christopher Blake is accused of using his Second Chance Veterans Foundation website to take money from donors who believed they were raising money for military veterans. The VCSO believes that there may be other fraud victims caught up in Blake's scheme. The investigation into Blake began on December 18 when detectives received a complaint about potentially fraudulent activities involving the Second Chance Veterans Foundation. Blake represents himself as the founder and CEO of the organization. The complaint outlined an incident in October 2017 where a sign company never received payment from Blake for a $543.15 purchase. The company made signs for Blake's golf tournament fundraiser at Debary Gold and Country Club and dropped them off at Blake's hotel, expecting to receive a call with a credit card number they could charge. When their calls were not returned, the sign company called Debary Gold and Country Club who advised that Blake has written them a $6,500 check for booking the golf course that was returned due to insufficient funds. Blake also did not pay for several rooms at a Holiday Inn in Orange City after he reserved them with a declined debit card. Detectives then began to look into the Second Chance Veterans Foundation website and corresponding Facebook page. A 2018 Memorial Day Harley Davidson motorcycle giveaway is advertised on the website. The website claims the motorcycle was donated by Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley Davidson, but upon speaking to the general manager, detectives found out no motorcycle had been donated. The bike is also said to be on display at the Ace Cafe in Orlando, but the Ace Cafe CFO said no such bike was on display. The website has a button to purchase raffle tickets from $20 to $200 and claims the proceeds are going to benefit homeless veterans in central Florida.  

(Image courtesy of Second Chance Veterans Foundation)

Blake listed an E. International Speedway Blvd. address as the location of his foundation's office. The owner of the building said Blake paid for 1 month's rent and neglected to pay rent for 6 months. Blake met with the owner and a detective, who was introduced as a friend and dressed as a civilian, and said one of the Hilton's family members was going to give him funds and that he would soon have money to pay rent. The detective asked Blake about the foundation and recorded their conversation. Blake said he started the foundation with $40,000 of his own money and he showed the detective the giveaway and videos from the golf tournament. On December 21, detectives contacted Debary Gold and Country Club about Blake. They said Blake did not pay upfront and kept making excuses for why he could not pay. Blake charged 40 attendees $100 each for lunch and to play golf. A week after the event Blake gave the club the bad check and the club expressed that Blake has yet to pay them. The Holiday Inn advised detectives that Blake asked them to be a sponsor of his organization. They donated $100 and Blake said they would be advertised as a donor and would receive golf t-shirts with their logo. The Holiday Inn said they never received anything from Blake. Blake also asked the Holiday Inn to donate the rooms for his tournament. They declined but offered a discount. The room charge of $956.30 was never paid after Blake's debit card was declined. Detectives also made contact with retired NFL player Gerald Riggs who was advertised as the celebrity guest at the golf tournament. Riggs said Blake was supposed to pay him $2,500 for his appearance, but the check Blake gave him was returned due to insufficient funds. Blake was arrested Friday morning and transported to the Sheriff's Operations Center in Daytona Beach for questioning. Blake has been charged with organizing a scheme to defraud and is being held on a $10,000 bond. The case is ongoing and the VCSO urges anyone who has donated to Second Chance Veterans Foundation or has been victimized by Blake to call 386-254-1537.

(Blake mugshot courtesy of Volusia County Corrections)

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