Charity con-artist may be hiding in NM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - He rubbed elbows with some of the country's highest politicians, and promised to help out America’s heroes. But, officials said he stole from veterans to the tune of nearly $100 million .

He went on the run and there is good information that he's hiding here in New Mexico.

“He's definitely a business man,” Deputy Ben Segotta said.

A business man whose Christmas card included a picture with President George W. Bush. But the man who's been going by the name Bobby Thompson is also a fake.

“He's definitely a con-man and somebody who is probably very well spoken,” said Segotta.

Thompson started a phony organization called the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. It raised about a $100 million which he promised would be used to help veterans. But, investigators claim he contributed some of it to high profile republican politicians, and pocketed the rest.

U.S. Marshals said he has lived in Albuquerque and knows the area. Recently new information pointed to him hiding out here.

“He is known for his ability to blend in or change his appearance or something. So he may not really be low profile he may just be using an alias.”

Segotta said they want him in handcuffs badly, “He solicited hundred of millions of dollars from people in order to help veterans and betrayed that trust between people and our military.”

Thompson is a fake name and officials don't really know who this guy is. For a while he had actually assumed the identity of a New Mexico man who ran a local veterans group.

He's 5 feet 8 inches about 160 pounds and said to be a heavy and often violent drinker.

Thompson's female accomplice in the scam confessed to everything and made a deal with investigators to turn on him. She's serving a five year sentence in Ohio.