Five indicted for allegedly defrauding Dolly Parton's foundation

Last year, Dolly Parton set up a foundation to help people who lost their homes in the wildfires that ravaged Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and her beloved Smokey Mountains. Her charity has already handed out $9 million to the fire victims. But now, five people have been indicted after being caught in an elaborate scheme to allegedly defraud the charity of monies intended for real victims.

Rare Country has been following the story, which includes charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy and felony theft.

Last December, the legendary country singer used her Dollywood Foundation to establish the My People’s Fund to raise money for people who were displaced and lost their homes in the wildfires that claimed 14 lives and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses as the fires burned in November and December.

According to USA Today, Debra Kay Catlett, her son, Chad Alan Chambers, and three others — Rocco Boscalia, Ammie Lyons and Esther Pridemore — have all been charged in a conspiracy to defraud the My People’s Fund. The indictments were handed up by a Sevier County grand jury.

Read more: http://www.joplinglobe.com/cnhi_network/five-indicted-for-allegedly-defrauding-dolly-parton-s-foundation/article_70e650d1-cf8f-532a-991e-2cec244a53ca.html