Cape Cod Man Accused Of Swindling Disabled Veterans Group

BARNSTABLE (CBS) -- He once led the Cape Cod Chapter of Disabled American Veterans. Now Richard Trott Sr. of East Sandwich is accused of stealing from the group.

Trott was arraigned Tuesday on one count of larceny. Prosecutors say he bilked the veterans group out of $125,000, even setting up fake charities with similar names to trick donors.

"I'm disappointed. I'm angry. It's coming from one of our own," said the new chapter commander, Tom Sullivan, a retired Air Force veteran. He joined other chapter members at Trott's arraignment.

According to Sullivan, after the alleged embezzlement, the group had very little money left for their mission of assisting veterans and their families.

He said members were shocked as the judge read out Trott's criminal history, which includes burglary and larceny cases dating back to the 1970s.

Trott pleaded not guilty and was held on a $5,000 cash bail.

Meanwhile, the Disabled American Veterans of Cape Cod are working to re-build their chapter. "You just pick it up and move on," Treasurer Paul Sullivan said.