JOPLIN, Mo. – A Georgia man who claimed to be raising money to help tornado victims in Joplin has been ordered to pay restitution for what officials called a scam.
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said Thursday he obtained a judgment in Jasper County Circuit Court against Steve Blood, of Thomasville, Ga.
Blood runs Internet radio business Georgia Triangle Broadcasting. Koster says Blood sold T-shirts, announced concerts and took donations, claiming the money would help victims of the spring tornadoes in Joplin and Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Koster says the money was instead used for personal expenses.
The judgment requires Blood to pay restitution, court costs and $13,000 in civil penalties.
Blood has blamed rivals and former businesses associates, saying concerts he tried to arrange in Branson and Alabama didn't work out.
