Virginia Clears Evangelist’s Charity

Concluding a two-year investigation, Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General has found that Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation — a charity created by the television evangelist Pat Robertson — was not guilty of any intentional wrongdoing despite “a serious breakdown in bookkeeping.”

The investigation focused on the use of two small airplanes that the charity had purchased to deliver supplies to Rwandan refugees in 1994. But a shortage of fuel and other problems prevented the planes from being used for relief work.

Questions arose after a diamond-mining company owned by Mr. Robertson, the African Development Company, used the planes in its work. Despite Mr. Robertson’s stipulation that all company travel be carefully accounted for and that the charity be fully reimbursed, investigators said his instructions had not been followed.

Still, the investigators said they found no evidence of an intentional attempt to misuse charitable assets. They also said that donations from Mr. Robertson and the African Development Company to Operation Blessing more than offset the amount the charity should have been paid to cover the use of the planes. What’s more, investigators approved the steps the charity outlined to improve its record-keeping in the future and prevent conflicts of interests.

The Office of the Attorney General concluded in its report that “the breakdown in bookkeeping and accounting practices” amounted to “an unfortunate blemish on a charitable organization with an extensive record of humanitarian activities throughout the world.”