Feds Indict Operators Of Former Camp Algonquin Vet Event

Federal authorities in Rockford Tuesday indicted a Crystal Lake businessman who operated companies that conducted locally-publicized "Veterans Stand Downs" at now-defunct Camp Algonquin. Charged with fraud and misrepresentation were John C. Blanchard, 51, his wife Joanne, 49, his brother James, 55, of McHenry and two other officers of Blanchard's many non-profit companies.

The indictments charge Blanchard companies falsely won $1.5 million in government contracts that were supposed to have gone to businesses owned by disabled veterans, that they underpaid vets they employed and faked invoices connected with the Veterans Stand Down events.

Blanchard's NASA Education Corporation, in 2006 began busing Chicago homeless vets twice a year to Camp Algonquin for a  meal, some clothes and ostensible medical and dental care.  The event moved to a Crystal Lake church when Camp Algonquin shut down last year. A Crystal Lake Stand Down is scheduled in November, according to the company's website.

Blanchard and the rest are scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Rockford.

In the pic:  Veteran's Stand Downs at Camp Algonquin like this one two years ago provided plenty of photo ops for an operation federal authorities said defrauded government programs.