With the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks around the corner, the AP reports there are 9/11-related charities where nothing has been done. One of the most galling examples is Kevin Held, an Arizona man who raised $713,000 for a 9/11 memorial quilt "big enough to cover 25 football fields" yet "there are only several hundred decorated sheets packed in boxes at a storage unit." A lot of the money has gone to... Held, because charity starts at home, right?
One third of the money has gone to Held (he gets a $175,000 salary and benefits) and his relatives. The AP continues, "Records show founder Kevin Held also spent more than $170,000 on travel since 2004. He rarely traveled without his two Alaskan Malamute dogs, one at 120 pounds and the other 200 pounds. He also listed $36,691 in credit card and bank charges since 2005 and $10,460 for an expense listed as 'petty' in 2009." Also, Held gave "himself a $200 per week car allowance, rent reimbursement and a $45,000 payment for an unreported loan."
Held, who served a few days for "misdemeanor theft and battery" in 1993, said of the traveling, "I loved going out and traveling. I loved going to the police department." But "If I made a mistake, I made a mistake. If I did, then crucify me. I never said I was a professional at this."
