Business

Top Obama Donor Accused of Fraud

Obama Donor Abake Assongba Accused of FraudWASHINGTON (AP) — A major donor to President Barack Obama has been accused of defrauding a businessman and impersonating a bank official, creating new headaches for Obama’s re-election campaign as it deals with the questionable history of another top supporter.

The New York donor, Abake Assongba, and her husband contributed more than $50,000 to Obama’s re-election effort this year, federal records show. But Assongba is also fending off a civil court case in Florida, where she’s accused of thieving more than $650,000 to help build a multimillion-dollar home in the state – a charge her husband denies.

Obama is the only presidential contender this year who released his list of “bundlers,” the financiers who raise campaign money by soliciting high-dollar contributions from friends and associates. But that disclosure has not come without snags; his campaign returned $200,000 last month to Carlos and Alberto Cardona, the brothers of a Mexican fugitive wanted on federal drug charges.

Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt declined comment to The Associated Press. He instead referred the AP to previous statements he made to The Washington Post, which first reported the allegations against Assongba in its Sunday editions. LaBolt told the paper 1.3 million Americans have donated to the campaign, and that it addresses issues with contributions promptly.

Assongba was listed on Obama’s campaign website as one of its volunteer fundraisers – a much smaller group of about 440 people.

Assongba and her husband, Anthony J.W. DeRosa, run a charity called Abake’s Foundation that distributes school supplies and food in Benin, Africa. A photo posted on Assongba’s Facebook page shows the couple standing next to Obama at a May 2010 fundraiser.

In one Florida case, which is still ongoing, Swiss businessman Klaus-Werner Pusch accused Assongba in 2009 of engaging him in an email scam – then using the money to buy a multimillion-dollar home, the Post reported. The suit alleges Assongba impersonated a bank official to do it. Pusch referred the AP’s questions to his attorney, who did not immediately return requests seeking comment Sunday.

Meanwhile, Assongba has left a trail of debts, with a former landlord demanding in court more than $10,000 in back rent and damages for a previous apartment. She was also evicted in 2004 after owing $5,000 in rent, records show.

In an interview with the AP on Sunday, DeRosa said the allegations against his wife were untrue, although he couldn’t discuss specifics because of pending litigation. He said he and Assongba were “very perturbed” by the charges, and said the couple’s charity does important work in Africa.

Assongba has given more than $70,000 to Democratic candidates in recent years, an AP review of Federal Election Commission data shows. Her larger contributions include $35,000 to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee between Obama and the Democratic Party, and $15,000 to Democrats running for Congress. DeRosa also gave $15,000 to Obama’s victory fund in April 2011, records show.

Abake’s Foundation is listed by the IRS as a registered nonprofit organization; its financial reports were unavailable. A representative who picked up the phone at the foundation’s Benin office declined to answer questions, and instead referred the AP to Assongba.

Obama’s campaign declined to comment on whether its vetting procedures were thorough enough, or whether Assongba’s contribution would be refunded. All told, Obama has raised more than $120 million this election, not counting millions more from the Democratic Party – giving him a financial advantage thus far over any of his Republican challengers.

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Associated Press writer Emily Fredrix and news researcher Susan James in New York contributed to this report.

 

Comments (12)

  • Nanaswords
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:59pm

    Birds of the same feathers…always flock together ! It will not matter …How much money this group will have…for their political campaign…majority of Americans have their character/life style known! We the majority…can not be mislead or bought again by these “birds” ! They have shown their goals enough for us to see and hear what they Really want to do for our USA ! Their goals will be taken down from the “Bottom-Up only… Not just in D.C….but all through out the USA ! We are “Awake” and Standing without Fear against all progressive agendas being “Pushed” to our nation! Our nations Foundation/Beginnings are built on “No Fail Principles” !!! That is our True History !!! Those that are the “Carpetbaggers” will be put out of business politically and financially. That is our view for ALL of them !!! We Will Win…Our Faith And Beliefs have Proved it to us too many times…from Our Father God…WHO Created everything Good !!! Those Obedient to His Covenant Always Win !!!

    Report Post »  
  • Paul
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 5:17pm

    Who could of imagined ?

    Oh yea the six things that God hates….

    Proverbs 6:16 KJV, who fits this to a T ?

    16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

    Report Post » Paul  
  • catholicschoolmom
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 2:34pm

    So what else is new?

    Report Post » catholicschoolmom  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 2:07pm

    Put them both in JAIL

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 1:33pm

    I’m surprised they were not able to delay the investigation until after the election.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
  • VinnieSquawker
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 10:53am

    Feels like I’m Baracka in the USSR!

    Report Post » VinnieSquawker  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 10:00am

    And what is new in the world of obama supporters?

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 10:43am

      Isn’t this the old Nigerian Credit Card / Email scam ?

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • JRook
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 12:09pm

      Assongba and her husband, Anthony J.W. DeRosa, run a charity called Abake’s Foundation that distributes school supplies and food in Benin, Africa. No doubt terrible criminals who must be brought to justice. How is it possible after mortgage back securities – designed by investment banks to avoid mortgage banking laws and credit default swaps – designed to avoid insurance regulations… to even defraud a bank. Oh that’s right only bankers can commit fraud.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 1:39pm

      JROOK, Get a grip. You are comparing apples and oranges. But, as far as any law breakers go, the majority of us here want them to be taken care of in the end. Yeah, pun intended.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Mandors
    Posted on April 2, 2012 at 9:10am

    A crack in the wall built by Barry’s adoring media? Maybe.

    But “Fo Fraud.” Why can’t the Blaze pay for spellchecking software?

    Report Post » Mandors  
    • skiz
      Posted on April 2, 2012 at 9:16am

      This administration is nothing more than gangsters and thugs! I think “Fo Fraud” is like saying “YO FRAUD” lol

      Report Post » skiz  

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