Cape Charity Founder Exposed By ITeam, Charged With Stealing

BARNSTABLE (CBS) - Gina Clark's daughter lashed out, swearing and hitting our microphone as the wings of the self-proclaimed angel are clipped when she's charged with 32 counts for allegedly ripping off families across the Cape.

Clark stood before a judge in Barnstable Superior Court on Thursday and entered a not guilty plea.

WBZ-TV I-Team reporter Kathy Curran has details

Clark is the founder and president of the now defunct Touched by Angels, a charity first exposed by the I-Team for fraud and later indicted after an investigation by the Attorney General. People donated thousands to help the families whose loved ones had died or were ill but those families say they saw very little in return and accuse Gina Clark of profiting from their pain.

Natalie Duarte's granddaughter Crystal was killed while crossing route 28 in Barnstable back in 2008. That's when Gina Clark promised to raise money for this family in need. Duarte said, "Crystal was a beautiful girl, only 16 years old when she died.

Gina Clark lied to us and hurt us deeply." For the victims' families this case isn't about the money, it's about justice. Duarte said, "Did she steal from us? Yes but I'm hurt from the lies. How can she put her head on a pillow at night and sleep after she told us she held our granddaughter in her arms when she was dying and it was a lie."

Seth Roman calls the prosecution against Clark a witch hunt. He said, "She's going to be exonerated of these charges, she didn't steal money from Touched By Angels and didn't steal money from these families."

Gina Clark was released on her own personal recognizance. A pre-trial hearing in the case is set for July.