Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General Alleges Charity Operator Diverted Money Intended For Victims Of Human Trafficking And Orphaned Aids Victims

October 1, 2009

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced a lawsuit against a man who allegedly misused thousands of dollars raised through Ahava Kids, Inc. -- a charity that claims to serve victims of human trafficking and orphaned children with AIDS.

Defendant Raymond Bechard -- the sole operator of Ahava Kids and several LLCs -- allegedly diverted as much as $100,000 in charitable and corporate funds for personal or inexplicable expenses at restaurants, department stores, grocery stores and sporting goods stores.

Blumenthal's investigation also revealed questionable expenses on gasoline, unexplained ATM cash withdrawals and money transferred from Ahava Kids to four Old Saybrook companies solely owned by Bechard.

The lawsuit was filed in coordination with Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr.

"We seek repayment and penalties for this alleged deceitful diversion that deprived the most vulnerable victims of vital help -- including victims of human trafficking, and children born with AIDS," Blumenthal said. "Almost half of the $250,000 raised through Ahava Kids over recent years in the name of human trafficking and orphaned AIDS children has been misspent and squandered.

"Claiming to help human trafficking victims and orphaned AIDS children, Raymond Bechard allegedly did more to help himself. Through Ahava Kids, he promises protection from human trafficking victims, opportunities for prostitutes seeking escape, and relief for orphans.

"Exploiting profoundly important causes, Ahava Kids received grants and donations -- much of it misspent at department and sports stores, and through untraceable cash transactions. My office will fight for restitution and penalties, as well as a court order prohibiting this alleged pilfering in the future."

Bechard's companies -- Disciple Makers Workshop, Son Celebration, Gift Catalog Online and Compel Communications -- are also named as defendants in the lawsuit, which Blumenthal filed in coordination with Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr.

Blumenthal alleged that the companies merely functioned as instrumentalities of Bechard for his financial gain -- and that personal and corporate funds were intermingled.

Ahava Kids claims to help victims of human trafficking by operating hotline and safe houses (one in Connecticut and one in Georgia), and by reportedly working in the streets to reach out to prostitutes. Bechard also claims that donations to Ahava Kids have been used to distribute AIDS medication to orphaned children in third-world countries.

Through an investigation, Blumenthal's office concluded that a legitimate safe house does exist, though it is rarely used.