Jan 28, 2009 7:25 pm US/Eastern
N.J. Man Accused Of Running 9/11 Fund Scam
Investigators Track Trail Of Lies To Oak Ridge "Hero"
OAK RIDGE, N.J. (CBS) ―
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A banner reading "We Will Never Forget" is hung at Ground Zero during the seventh anniversary ceremonies.
CBS
A New Jersey man is accused of using a 9/11 charity as his personal piggy bank. But as CBS 2 HD found out reports and accusations that Fred Parisi used contributions to pay his cable bill might just be the tip of the iceberg.
Parisi is from the Oak Ridge section of New Jersey. And over the last few years, investigators have uncovered a trail of lies they say he has created -- even building his luxury home, which has since foreclosed -- that has left even experienced detectives stunned.
"Mr. Parisi, when you speak to him, is very charismatic," Jefferson Township Police Det. Joe Kratzel. "He seems very genuine, but, unfortunately, money drove him down the wrong path."
Kratzel first investigated Parisi for allegedly ripping off a business partner, but that investigation turned up more, which the New Jersey consumer affairs commissioner, David Szuchman, slammed Parisi for Wednesday with a court action to shut down what the state calls Parisi's phony 9/11 charity, the "9/11 Rescue Workers Foundation."
"What we found there is very disturbing," Szuchman said. "Because we found approximately $75,000 in payments that had no legitimate, stated purpose."
Officials say Parisi told people he was "a 9/11 hero" raising money for the real heroes of that day. Except Parisi was not at ground zero that day, but among the $75,000 the consumer affairs' commissioner's team has been able to track down so far, they say:
* $53,000 was made out to Jean Street -- Parisi's mother and the charity's treasurer.
* $17,000 was used by his mother for personal bills -- like cable, electric, car and Yankees tickets.
* $4,600 officials say was used by Parisi for personal items -- either made out to cash or to pay for things like Chinese fast food or the hair salon.
"We have calls all the time about other allegations made," Det. Kratzel said. "
Police believe Parisi has such a long history they think he may try to skip town.
Parisi is also accused of scamming $10,000 from former Giants football coach Jim Fassel. Police said Fassel thought he was helping a legitimate 9/11 charity.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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