From Deseret News archives:
Man in charity-trip case bound over for trial
After a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, 3rd District Judge Vernice Trease advanced the case of Paul W. McSweeney, 50, toward trial. His next court date is Aug. 20.
Prosecutor Neal Gunnarson said McSweeney raised funds for a 2007 trip to the nation's capital, but much of that money went to pay for revenue shortfalls from a different trip that took place the previous year. Gunnarson also contends McSweeney spent some of the approximately $90,000 that the state says was misappropriated for McSweeney's personal use.
McSweeney's charitable group, Our Unsung Heroes, arranged for 210 people to go to Washington in 2006. About half them were veterans who traveled, stayed and ate there for free; the rest were "escorts," or family members or friends accompanying the vets, who paid their own way.
However, defense attorney Guy Black portrayed the Mapleton resident as an honest man who tried to do his best but simply could not generate enough donations to accomplish the goals he had set.
"I don't think he committed fraud in this case," Black said. "The only thing he may be guilty of is not being able to raise enough funds."
But Gunnarson said McSweeney recklessly omitted telling the other members of a committee that oversaw the charity about the level of debt from the first trip. Common sense would dictate that no one would pay a penny for a new trip if they knew their money was actually paying bills for an excursion already taken by others the previous year, Gunnarson said.
"These people in good faith gave their hard-earned money for a very sentimental reason," Gunnarson said. "They were promised they would get value for their money."
McSweeney is charged with six counts of communications fraud and one count of a pattern of unlawful activity, all second-degree felonies.
Judy Lemons, a member of the charity's committee, testified she believed that everything was in order and that the 2007 trip would proceed.
However, at the last minute, the people who had signed up for the second Washington trip had to be notified that it was all off because it became obvious that the necessary funding was not there. She said she had been told earlier not to worry about money but focus on arranging ceremonies, which is her forte.
Comments
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling 1:19 a.m.
- Brems outlasts 2nd round of votes 1:04 a.m.
- 2 Murray families divided over slaying 1:04 a.m.
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper 1:03 a.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 1:03 a.m.
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend 12:31 a.m.
- 'Cyber Monday' sales top records 12:29 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game 12:26 a.m.
- No drugs in driver of Am.F. band bus 12:15 a.m.
- Governor Mansion to begin free tours 12:14 a.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
380 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
375 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
318 - Utes won't respond to Hall
259 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
112
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Pres. Obama stopped playing golf long enough to decide? What Chaffetz...
Extreme judgments and hate are just not going to make your life any better...
Today I had to listen to all my Ute fan friends tell me-with a straight face,...
And then more.
A Ute perspective here. I was not offended by Max's comments although I think...
"Why does everyone hold BYU and Mormons to such a high standard?" The...
To those who think BYU shows a double standard by saying this is settled,...
BYU's silence speaks volumes.
Our country is already so in dept americans losing everything left and right...
acceptable to express hate for anything or anyone, especially if you are from...


You can be the first to comment on this story.