Tennessee Man Fraudulently Profits From Sandy Hook Shooting, Feds Say

A Tennessee man has been federally charged with defrauding contributors to an organization he established following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

“This arrest serves as a warning to anyone who attempts to profit from the tragedy at Sandy Hook,” said U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly. “With the assistance of the FBI, we will continue to prioritize the investigation of fraudulent schemes that exploit the generosity of donors responding to this tragedy.”

According to the indictment Robert Bruce, 34, of Nashville founded 25.4.26 and began soliciting donations after the Dec. 14 shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.

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He said, ““mission of 26.4.26 is to provide funding for the families of victims, memorials for teacher heroes and to increase safety in schools across the country,” according to the indictment.

In early 2013 he allegedly solicited and received contribution in connection with a charity athletic event in Gilford, N.H. called Schools 4 Schools run. He promoted the event on social media.

He also allegedly did the same thing with an event called CrossFit Cares in Tennessee, according to the indictment.

However, funds didn’t go to furthering the supposed mission of the organization, but rather were used to personally enrich Bruce and his personal training business, according to the indictment. Several victim donors were from Connecticut.

Bruce is charged with six counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for each count.

“Creating a fraudulent charity to exploit a tragedy for personal gain is unconscionable,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Kline. “These investigations will continue to be a priority for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

He is scheduled to be arraigned in Hartford on Feb. 23.