Boston Brothers Guilty of $2-Million Scam Attempt From One Fund

A Massachusetts jury has convicted two brothers of attempted theft and other charges for filing a false claim for more than $2-million from the charity disbursing donated funds to victims of last year’s Boston Marathon bombings, The Boston Globe reports.

Prosecutors said Branden Mattier, 23, and Domunique Grice, 28, submitted documents to the One Fund Boston on behalf of a long-dead aunt, whom the brothers claimed lost her legs in the April 2013 attack. When he was arrested last July, Mr. Mattier told police he sought the funds to start a charity of his own for community members affected by violence.

Following a four-day trial, the jury deliberated for two hours Friday before finding both men guilty of attempted larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny. Mr. Mattier was also convicted of identity fraud. Sentencing was set for June 23.

The One Fund said Friday that it will make a second, $19-million round of payments this summer to injured survivors and victims’ families, focusing on those who will need lifelong medical treatment, the Globe also reported. The charity doled out $61-million last year to relatives of the those killed in the bombings and survivors who suffered the most grievous injuries.