Case of alleged cancer charity fraud grows

Four more Eau Claire and Altoona businesses have been added to the list of storefronts police say were bilked for a fictional charitable event.

Sean K. Davis, 41, of Eau Claire is charged in Eau Claire County Court with nine misdemeanor charges: eight counts of theft and one count of attempted theft.

The charges involve nine businesses -- Whiskey's Grill & Bar, 943 Harlem St., Altoona; Milwaukee Burger Co., 2620 E. Clairemont Ave.; London Spa, 2418 London Road; Sammy's Pizza, 2812 London Road; One Hour Photo, 3306 Mall Drive; Clearwater Chiropractic, 2907 Mall Drive; America's Best Value Inn, 809 W. Clairemont Ave.; Speed of Sound, 2113 Birch St.; and Extreme Diesel Motor Sports, 1280 Otter Road, Altoona.

Police say Davis solicited money for a fictional children's cancer run-walk he said was scheduled for Feb. 26.

Davis also is charged with misdemeanor theft in Sawyer County that is connected with the charitable fraud cases in Eau Claire County.

Judge William Gabler increased Davis' Eau Claire County cash bail from $100 to $5,000 Wednesday based on a request from the district attorney's office.

Davis is being held by Wisconsin authorities because he has two outstanding arrest warrants from Florida, where he was convicted of a felony count of third-degree swindling or scheming to defraud in October 2008.

Davis' attorney, public defender Laurie Osberg of Eau Claire, said Davis received a plea offer Wednesday from prosecutors. Details of the offer were not disclosed.

Osberg said she is trying to consolidate the Eau Claire and Sawyer county charges into one case.

Davis returns to court April 19.

Barron County authorities investigated Davis for three theft cases related to fictional charitable events, but criminal charges have not been filed.

According to the criminal complaint:

Altoona police responded to Whiskey's Grill & Bar on Feb. 9 on a report of a man collecting money for a children's cancer run/walk reportedly scheduled for Feb. 26.

The owner became suspicious and called police.

Police couldn't find any information about such an event in the area.

The other eight businesses gave Davis either $100 or $150 between Feb. 6 and 9 for the alleged event.

Davis told a representative of Milwaukee Burger Co. his own brother died of cancer at a young age.

Holtz can be reached at 715-833-9207, 800-236-7077 or dan.holtz@ecpc.com.

(c)2012 the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.)

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