Man faces drug, fraud charges

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - An investigation into a 52-year-old Virginia Beach man began with heroin, but further digging by police investigators revealed he may be also be responsible for a fraudulent charity.

Paul Langelier is allegedly involved with a charity that raises money for veterans, called "Veterans Services of Hampton Roads," and located at 2420 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 120.

"The fraud is that he has been posing as a member of an organization and is trying to raise money for veterans," said Virginia Beach spokeswoman Margie Hobbs. Police believe he was taking the money he solicited in donations and keeping it.

A drug search warrant based on information from a confidential informant and given to WAVY revealed: "Our confidential informant advises...Langelier...solicits money contributions from citizens under the guise that the contributions would go towards assisting military veterans...Langelier...would then pocket the money for personal use."

And the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)--the organization with which all Virginia charitable organizations must file--has no record of Langlier's charity. The Virginia Department of Veteran's Services says they are also not affiliated with Veterans Services of Hampton Roads.

"They are not complying with the Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Act," says Elaine Lidholm with Consumer Services. "It could mean they are not a legitimate organization."

She says she put out a consumer alert to WAVY TV after an inquiry was made about the organization seeking funds. "They have failed to register even though we asked them to do it," she said.

In an e-mail to WAVY.com, the VDACS says it was alerted to "Veteran Services of Hampton Roads" when a business in Chesapeake called to see if the group was legitimate. What was reported to the VDACS was that "Veteran Services of Hampton Roads" calls, generally before a major holiday, and says they are collecting money to buy gifts, clothing and/or food baskets for veterans for the holidays.

The VDACS believes "Veteran Services of Hampton Roads" called in September for Thanksgiving food baskets and in November for Christmas. For the Christmas solicitation, VDACS says the group claimed the funds would be used for food baskets and for a Christmas party at the VA Hospital. If someone agreed to donate, the group sent someone to collect the money that same day.

Langelier was arrested on December 9, 2009 and charged with possession and distribution of heroin. Police say lab reports have confirmed that heroin has been found in his home, as well as at his Virginia Beach office in the Bridge Commerce Center on Virginia Beach Blvd.

Married, and the father of two teens, Langlier has been the target of a month-long undercover investigation by Norfolk Police and supported by Virginia Beach Police. WAVY TV reporters also confronted him at home, but he quickly drove off.

Langelier has confessed, was indicted by a Grand Jury, and is scheduled to plead guilty on March 4.

If you've been approached or called to give especially by a group calling itself the "Veteran Services of Hampton Roads" call the Virginia Beach Police Economic Crimes unit at 385-4101.

To search whether or not a charity is listed with The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, visit its website and enter the name of the charity here .