Charity boss accused of siphoning millions

AMERICAN FORK — The leader of an American Fork-based youth fitness charity has been fired from his post for allegedly spending $5 million of the nonprofit organization's money for personal expenses.

The National School Fitness Foundation said Thursday in a statement that its board of directors voted May 31 to remove Cameron J. Lewis as president.

Board members made the decision to terminate Lewis after an independent auditor reviewed the foundation's records and found major financial discrepancies.

The foundation also filed a 31-page complaint Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court that says Lewis used money from the charity to buy himself a small airplane and finish a $500,000 Highland home.

Lewis, who created the foundation in 2000, is also accused of billing the charity $5,000 for scuba-diving training, $8,000 for an elk hunt and tens of thousands of dollars for political donations.

"Cameron Lewis focused his efforts on a pattern of self-dealing and deception that not only lined his pockets but crippled NSFF in its efforts to raise funds from private donations and government grants," the complaint says.

Among other things, the complaint accuses Cameron Lewis and his father, Tyron Lewis, of transferring $2 million in charity assets to trust accounts controlled by them.

Attempts to reach Lewis for comment have been unsuccessful.

Tyson Lewis resigned from his post as chairman of the foundation's board following his son's removal from his job. Tyson Lewis had been operating as the sole board member for several weeks prior to his resignation, according to the foundation.

The past chairman of the board, Martin Arnoldini, resigned in April after it was learned he had been convicted of a felony for his part in a scheme to avoid paying taxes. Two other board members resigned shortly thereafter.

New board members — so far it is made up of only two people — faced scandal soon after assuming their duties. They cast the votes to terminate Lewis.

Speculation about the foundation's finances have swirled since Lewis last month told schools in 20 states it could no longer help pay for fitness equipment the schools received through the charity. The equipment was supposed to be free.