A Kenai man accused of embezzling charitable donations will finally stand trial, for an incident which allegedly occurred in 2011.
Frank Roach, now 55, appeared yesterday (Tuesday) before Judge Carl Bauman, accused of misleading donors from April 2010 to October 2011, misusing some or all of the $140,000 he raised through his charity “Boxes For Heroes.” The intent was to send care packages to deployed soldiers. Roach insisted that’s what he did, despite some possible administrative missteps.
Potential jurors were screened for military ties and reactions to allegations of “cheating.”
Roach’s trial has been delayed in the past due to health issues. In court he was accompanied by a service dog and was nursing injuries from a blow to the face. Roach’s lawyer and the prosecutor confirmed he was the victim of a late-night assault.
Roach was charged with scheming to defraud and eight counts of theft. He could face up to 10 years in jail and a $100,000 fine.
Boxes for Heroes had three founding members, but only Roach is charged.
