Tampa man accused of defrauding donors

Investigators say Rene Leon Bouchard of Tampa took $176,000 by posing as a representative of a legitimate charity.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 16, 2002

TAMPA -- A 55-year-old Tampa man bilked unsuspecting donors for $176,000 by posing as a representative for a company that transports sick children, according to reports released Tuesday.

Investigators said Rene Leon Bouchard, of 6834 Rosemary Drive, posed as an employee of Angel Flights Southeast, a Leesburg company that transports children who need medical attention.

They said Bouchard used letterhead and promotional materials such as brochures and videotapes similar to those of Angel Flights Southeast to solicit contributions.

Bouchard was arrested by the state Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and charged with violating Florida's charitable solicitation statute. He also faces charges of theft of trade secrets.

State records show he has two prior arrests, one in Miami-Dade County in 1980, the other in Hillsborough County in 1989. Both were for disorderly conduct. The 1980 arrest included a charge of trespassing.

Bouchard remained in jail Tuesday night in lieu of $20,000 bail.

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