Attorney General's News Release

December 13, 2007

Nixon, Moore file felony charges against man accused of falsely soliciting Springfield businesses for charities

Springfield, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon and Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Moore have jointly charged a man accused of defrauding several Springfield individuals through false solicitations for well-known charities that serve children. Timothy C. Connor (DOB — 1/26/70) faces five counts of unlawful merchandising practices. Connor is believed to be a peripatetic whose home address is unknown.

The probable cause statement filed with the charges alleges that a man identified as Connor walked into several Springfield businesses in mid-September and told the owners or employees that he was soliciting donations or selling magazine subscriptions to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters or Boys and Girls Clubs. The defendant allegedly was given between $25 and $35 at some of the businesses.

The charge of unlawful merchandising practices is a class D felony under Missouri law, punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The charges against the defendant are merely accusations and, as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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