GRIFTER ALERT: Monroeville, Alabama & Vicinity

GROVE HILL, AL   Mac McQuown continues to press forward at a turtle's pace on his fraudulent, donation-funded walk across America.  To date, his lack of transparency and honesty about his route, his location or full disclosure of gifts, services and monetary donations has been absolutely ZERO.  Generally speaking, those who are performing acts of altruism for the benefit of others have been completely transparent about their projects, but McQuown continues to not only provide zero information but claims that doing so will encourage his "haters" to warn the public about his fraud.

The evidence is out there.  All you have to do is Google McQuown's name or his previous endeavors to see just how fraudulent they were and how far he will go to deceive others while using the plight of US soldiers and veterans as his marketing platform to fatten his wallet.

McQuown was investigated by the State of Florida last year, and was told that he may not solicit donations unless he is registered to do so.  This has not stopped McQuown from asking for assistance on his donor funded vacation across America.  In fact, less than 3 hours ago he posted this from his Facebook:

Many of you know last Friday I was Not up to par to do any walking. I woke up last Friday with a Thundering Head ache, very upset stomach. Felt over heated. At times dizzy & weak. But I pushed on and wanted to walk that day anyway. Well Though my mind said yes my body would have no part of it. It took me 2 hours to walk 1 mile. So I had to swallow my pride and put my stubborn nature aside and do the Safe thing. I reached out to all of you for help. Many of you said prayers for me which I absolutely appreciate , others send encouraging and kind words to me which was also wonderful. A couple of you stepped up and helped with getting a motel room and one of you paid for 2 nights and in addition provided a little more so that I could get some food.

Two hours to walk a mile?  That's nothing unusual for him as he has traveled no more than 500 miles in two months.  It would take a man 157 hours on foot to walk from his starting point to his current position in Grove Hill, Alabama.  

To date McQuown has been on the road 1,656 hours and has moved on foot only 157 hours.  You do the math!  This man is not serious about his "walk".  This is the THIRD one that he has attempted that hasn't been shut down yet because people caught onto his fraud and alerted other communities.  

McQuown has NO pride.  His entire venture is funded by donors -- he does NOT PERSONALLY FUND THIS HIMSELF.  So, his no pride having self reaches out to churches and others who have no clue that they are assisting a fraud for help.  

This isn't the first time McQuown has "reached out to all of you" for a motel room or other donations.  Again, he is NOT funding this himself so his entire walk is based on solicitation of donations.  

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McQuown Begins a New "Walk"

Leonard Mac McQuown is at it again.  Today he and his sidekick, Vickie James, embarked on yet another "walk" across America vowing to do 3,000 in a year from Florida to San Francisco.  For anyone who has followed McQuown over the past few years knows that his walks are questionable to say the least.

A Florida news outlet wrote a piece of McQuown today and did a video interview of him which left McQuown stumbling for answers for some hard questions.  The same questions that have been asked of him for YEARS.  Starting with transparency of his donations.

Veterans accuse local former Marine walking across U.S. of fraud. Where's the money going? http://t.co/L6NTWRFntZ pic.twitter.com/PyQTnOoKT7

— News 13 (@MyNews13) May 5, 2015

McQuown has a walking companion this time around.  Her name is Vickie James.  In the video interview, Vickie said that they needed money to do their walk and rely on "gifts".  She was careful to word her statement, as anyone soliciting donations in Florida must register with the Department of Agriculture as McQuown is very well aware, having been interviewed by the Department of Agriculture regarding solicitation of donations.  

McQuown told the interviewer that he did indeed make a $350 donation to Raven's Outreach when they had talked to Raven's Outreach that morning and were told via statement that he did NOT make a donation.  McQuown went on to say that Operation Foot kept records, however, from his own website last year he stated:

"Documentation and/or receipts of monies raised in the year of 2013 through Operation Veteran Storm DO NOT EXIST. The testimonies from those assisted through "Operation Veteran Storm" which are shown above is the proof that these deeds were done through trial and error I have learned a better way to keep official records of funds raised. Starting in January 2014 any and all funds raised will have with them official receipts and documentation."

McQuown stopped giving out his walking route because he was terrified that the authorities there would be notified. Again, NO TRANSPARENCY. If he were not committing fraud, he would be happy to tell exactly where he was and EXACTLY WHERE THE MONEY WAS BEING DONATED. 

When asked if there any veteran organizations he could name supporting his walk, McQuown said no.

That is because his walk has NOT benefited any veterans organizations in the past and it is very unlikely that it will benefit anyone in the future, except Mac's wallet. 

http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2015/5/4/veterans_walk_fraud_allegations.html

TRUST that we will be following McQuown as he frauds across America.  

Make sure to watch the video. It's priceless.

http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/video.html?clip=http://static.cfnews13.com/newsvideo/cfn/vet-walk-interview-full.f4v&vtitle=Full%20interview%3A%20Leonard%20McQuown%20on%20walk%2C%20money%20collected

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54 Hours Movement in THREE Months

McQuown has traveled 167 miles since February 21, 2014 to May 6, 2014.   That's 74 days since his February 21, 2014 update of being in the Pineville, LA area.

To break it down further - approximately 10,536 hours have elapsed since he announced his arrival in Pineville, LA and since that time he has traveled a mere 54 hours.

On February 21, 2014 McQuown stated to the Town Talk

"Our strongest ally is getting the word out (about homeless veterans). It's simple, but the more people aware of what we're doing, the more veterans we can help,"

To date, McQuown has not shown ONE OUNCE of proof of where his donations for homeless veterans are going.  When repeatedly questioned about the rescinded donation to Raven's Outreach, he simply ignores requests for documentation.  He has not shown documented proof of not one donation.

McQuown's refusal to provide documented proof of where his donations are going infer that he is being dishonest.  The fact that he has only walked 54 hours in three months makes one question whether his "walk" is just a vacation across the US funded by giving souls.  

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Operation Walk America = FRAUD

CONFIRMED: McQuown DID NOT give a donation to Raven's Outreach as he told his supporters.  The donation was obviously made to appear legitimate with his donations received.

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McQuown's Walk Across Louisiana

This is being cross-posted from the Facebook page regarding McQuown's fraud but in its totality speaks volumes as to McQuown's character:

Leonard Dale McQuown's 3 month walk across Louisiana .

Veteran Hospital's visited ; 0
VFW's And American Legion's visited : 0
Veteran Homless Shelter visited : 0

TV Reality Star's & Locations visited : 2
Sight Seeing tours : At least 2
Holiday Parade's attended : 1

Donations he made to homeless Veterans and Shelters ..Two $ 10.00. bills handed to two homeless men who told him they were Veterans. A $ 250.00 donation to Raven's Outreach which he asked for a refund.

Approx amount of days spent in his tent :20

Approx amount of days spent in Motel rooms paid for by someone else. :60

Approx. amount of days staying in someone else's home : 10

Approx amount of money spent to house and feed McQuown for the 90 days he was in LA, $ 4000.00

Donations made to alleged Homeless Veterans in LA ; $ 20.00

Now will someone please tell me how this is benefiting anyone other than L. Dale McQuown ? ....~ Scotty

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Walking? Or Driving...You Decide

Over the weekend Leonard McQuown stated that he was in Texas, but once again failed to pinpoint his location.  The kind and generous souls who support him do not question him because in their minds, like the rest of us, it is hard to fathom that someone would use the plight of our homeless veterans for personal financial gain.  He also skirted the questions regarding his three day stay at the Red Oak Inn in DeQuincy, LA when he claimed to be walking during the time he was staying in the motel paid for by donations of others.  Also of note, TO DATE the fraud he committed with Raven's Outreach homeless veterans organization has NOT been rectified, nor has it been addressed by McQuown.

On April 13, 2014 McQuown stated that he was taking the whole weekend off.

Today McQuown posted this on his Facebook page:  How did McQuown get there if he took the entire weekend off and was last seen in Orange, TX?  Why is he covering his movements if he is in fact a LEGITIMATE operation?

He has made his way into Beaumont, and again the question is posed:  IF McQuown is a legitimate walking charity, WHY is he not being transparent in his movements and his actions? One would think that transparency would negate the cloud of suspicion hanging over him.  While it is not known if McQuown has committed a criminal act - that is to be decided by the state Attorney Generals of the states he travels through, but let there be NO DOUBT that Leonard McQuown is not only MORALLY BANKRUPT, but is an ethical criminal preying on the hearts and wallets of genuinely good people who wish to make the world a better place via their donations and support.

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Where in the World is Leonard McQuown?

Still breaking his "solemn vow" and operating under a black cloud of suspicion, Leonard is on the road again.  However, his journey's focus has changed somewhat.  Weeks ago he would document what town he was in and where he was headed.  This was all before he was caught red-handed duping an honest LEGITIMATE charity by requesting a refund of a pseudo-donation he made.

Leonard posted this photo yesterday.  Note that his usual location announcement is suspiciously absent.  Why is that, Leonard?  Are you not posting your location on your walk because you know that you are not being truthful?  Is it because you know people are watching you and noting every minute detail of your fraudulent traipse across America?

You can run, but you can't hide, Leonard.  You are a fraud and you will be stopped.

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Severe Weather Excuse

Hey Leonard...what about all of the other days that you haven't walked?  What is your excuse for that?  While you are holed up in the confines of a warm home courtesy of unsuspecting kind souls while screaming out your "solemn vow" the REAL HOMELESS vets are getting rained on, going hungry and doing without while you trek across the state of Louisiana taking handouts that benefit ONE person.  YOU.

WHY haven't provided the information regarding the PayPal fiasco - you remember that one?  You requested a refund of a donation to a veteran's outreach just so you could screenshot your pretend donation to appease those who were asking questions.  Rather than send Raven's Outreach a money order and make things right, weeks later you still have not been transparent.  Remember that as well?  You solemnly vowed (again...second verse same as the first) that you would be completely transparent in 2014 and have receipts for everything.

You are a con, Leonard and it is our solemn vow that your fraud across America will be stopped.

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Deserter Deflection: His Facebook Wall His Rules

McQuown left his post for 200 days while a Sergeant in the USMC.  He abandoned his post and left without permission which resulted in an other than honorable discharge.  For years he LIED about his prior service record, and when exposed he continued to embellish his service record.  Now McQuown feels that he has the right to make demands of those he requests donations from by refusing to "reply, comment or for that matter even acknowledge any and all comments and/or questions regarding [his] past military record and/or prior civilian criminal record".

Let's take an honest look at this new demand.  First, McQuown has a FRAUDULENT past via the receipt of monies or services that he did not pay for.  He has been accused of taking $80,000 by an individual for his Project Foot which the State of Virginia warned consumers NOT to donate to because of the lack of transparency and non-existence of proper 501(c)(3) documentation with the state.  He has been accused of and proven to have made a donation to Raven's Outreach only to request a refund from PayPal two hours later.  He took back money to avoid spending that money on homeless veterans who need it -- which his whole purpose for walking is supposed to be about. McQuown has a duty and legal responsibility to maintain proper records and document exactly where the money he receives is being channeled.  Thus far, he has not.

McQuown claims to want to be "in tune with the homeless veterans he is helping".  How is sleeping in a warm bed at night being "in tune" with the homeless?  How is deciding whether you want to walk in the rain being "in tune" with the homeless?

he’ll sleep in a motel, thanks to someone offering to pay for it. When he started his trip, he tried to sleep at fire stations. But now, McQuown often sleeps outdoors, weather permitting, or in his tent so he can be in tune with the homeless veterans he is helping.

Sponsors and donors are supporting his travels, which began 2½ years ago in Virginia and will continue for another six years. He was living with his sister in Florida before starting the extreme road trip, and he said his family “has been behind me 110 percent. … I’ve always had that extra adventurous gene in me,” and his family realizes that and is supportive.

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20140221/NEWS01/302210028/Ex-Marine-walking-15-000-miles-behalf-homeless-veterans

He is now refusing to discuss his past but still wants innocent, unknowing public to donate to his "walk"?  The more McQuown refuses to speak the more guilty of being a con-artist he appears to be.  He should be 100% transparent and want to show proof of his donations because of all of the allegations of impropriety.  Instead, he parties in New Orleans - more than an hour in the opposite direction of his walk.  How far has McQuown actually walked this month?  He has claimed that he is sleeping outside for the homeless vets, but that hasn't stopped him from holing up in hotels for days and weeks at a time to begin his "walk" again when it suits him.

Do your research on this grifter before you give him your money and demand that he provide documentation for all expenses and donations accepted while on his fraudulent walk across America.

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McQuown the Fraudster

Mac McQuown was recently in Bunkie, Louisiana on his "walk" that he claims benefits homeless veterans.  McQuown claims that he sleeps outside in a tent so he can embrace the feeling of homelessness and honor homeless veterans.  How many homeless veterans do you know that shack up at the expense of good Samaritans at the local Howard Johnson hotel? None.  Because they can't afford such luxuries.

McQuown claimed to be in his tent but stayed at the hotel for several days.   During his vacation in Bunkie, McQuown posted screenshots of his donation to Raven's Outreach homeless project.  However, as always with McQuown the donation came with a caveat...to request a refund after 2 hours.  NO MONEY was donated to Raven's Outreach.  NONE.  NADA. ZILCH.  Within two hours he contacted PayPal to request a refund of his $250.00 donation.

A volunteer at Raven's Outreach posted documentation that McQuown had indeed requested a refund.  Don't look for this on his Facebook page - it has been cleansed of any negative information.  When cornered he screams out virus, hackers, or anything to take the heat off of what really went down. He tried to defraud his audience AGAIN.

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Walking veteran called a fraud

BATON ROUGE - As Mac McQuown walked to the steps of Capitol today, he expected to meet some friends, show his patriotism, and raise awareness about homeless veterans, but what he got was a confrontation with an angry veteran.

"He's a fraud," said the man who did not want to be named, "He's asking for money from citizens to fund his walk, he's been walking for 2 and half years at donation's expense, basically he's on a tour of the country."

McQuown has walked the country for the past 2 and a half years, trying to visit every state capitol in hopes of spreading awareness about homeless veterans. The one time Marine told News 2 he's seen ten capitols in that time and raised a total of $8,000.

Some veterans, though, think he isn't representing himself properly and instead using gifts and the kindness of strangers to freeload across America.

"He's using it to basically fund his way around the country for a little vacation for himself, we haven't seen any record, he hasn't produced any records, he's been asked several times to produce records of where this money is going and he hasn't done anything of the sort," said LCpl. Bill Scepkowski, a former marine who has investigated McQuown's history and claims.

"It's all speculation and accusations it's not true," said McQuown. "My phone number is everywhere, don't you think I'd be a bit more discreet, I'm not a con artist, I've got nothing to hide because I've done nothing wrong."

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The Great Green Dot Caper

Or is it the Great GREED Dot caper?  McQuown posted on March 19, 2014 that he was on hold with PayPal regarding the fraudulent donation to Raven's Outreach.  

As of March 27, 2014 McQuown states the following regarding the transaction:

Two identical numbers would not force a request for refund.  It is highly unlikely that this error would occur and the cards are not validated until you pay for them at the register.   The PayPal representative specifically stated to Raven's Outreach that the donor had REQUESTED a refund.

Questions for McQuown:

1. Why didn't you immediately buy a money order or wire transfer the $250.00 to Raven's Outreach?  Wouldn't this have taken care of the issue?  A refund was granted according to Raven's Outreach and PayPal so the funds were available to you to do so.  
2. Why make the process more complicated when you could have donated the money straight from the card using it as a VISA? 
3. Why aren't you keeping receipts for everything that you purchase since you are under a cloud of suspicion and legitimate non-profits must provide documentation for all purchases or donations?
4. Can you provide tax documentation for 2013 detailing expenses and donations during your walk?
5. Why have you removed comments with documentation from Raven's Outreach from your Facebook?

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Two Weeks In Bunkie, LA

March 5, 2014:  Arrived in Bunkie, Louisiana.
Today's date is March 27, 2014.  How far did McQuown travel from his heated room in Bunkie to his latest destination?  Isn't he holed up with some nice folks currently while he waits out bad weather to start on his next leg of his journey scam.

I sure hope those homeless veterans are staying warm tonight while the pretend hero is holed up with unknowing victims, eating their hot food and taking advantage of their hospitality.  What happened to the tent, Mac?  Too cold out for you?  What do you think the homeless veterans would say about you being too good to sleep outside now?

Where in the world is Mac McQuown?

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Forgotten Dedications?

McQuown claimed on March 13, 2014 that "everyday that I walk I dedicate that days walk to a fallen veteran".  Today is March 27, 2014.  There have been no other "dedications".

Where are the rest of your dedications, McQuown?  My how soon we forget the pseudo-purpose of your own journey, right bud?

McQuown Mac

Follow · March 13 

OPERATION T.R.O.O.P.S.( TOGETHER REMEMBERING OUR OUTSTANDING PATRIOTIC SERVICE MEMBERS ) EVERYDAY THAT I WALK I DEDICATE THAT DAYS WALK TO A FALLEN VETERAN: I Dedicate Today's walk to United States Army SGT. William Joshua Rechenmacher. Sgt Rechenmacher was Deployed to Heaven on 1/18/2007 While serving in Baghdad, Iraq. Sgt Rechenmacher was the only one killed that day. Sgt Rechenmacher was a son, Friend to many , brother, ex-husband and father. He was killed 11 days after his 24th birthday. I Stand Very Proudly and Render unto YOU Sgt Rechenmacher, A Slow, Deliberate, Very Respectful Salute, To Honor YOU . Rest My Fellow Veteran We have the watch. With Every Step I take Today, Step After Step , Yard After Yard , and Mile after Challenging Mile belongs to YOU Sgt Rechenmacher. Any and all Blood Sweat and Tears I may spill today is for YOU . With my continued epic walk to America's Capital Steps your sacrifice will Never ever be forgotten. Marching on Semper FI

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This doesn't look like Howard Johnson's

McQuown claims to be sleeping in this tent to embrace the feeling of homelessness and to honor homeless veterans.  A question for you Mr. McQuown - is Howard Johnson's an open air hotel? How was your homeless experience while laying down in a warm bed at night?  How was your homeless experience while having the convenience of internet while you were there or a hot meal in the morning?   Please don't claim that the weather is too inclement to be outside.  Homeless vets don't get to pick and choose the environmental conditions they are forced to live in.  So, why is it that you shacked up at a HoJo's for days on end?

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2014 Italian Irish Parade Jefferson Parish

Mac McQuown strikes again.  When pressed where the donation money is going to he clams up, but he'll never miss an opportunity to pretend donate to homeless shelters or veterans organizations.  McQuown claims that he took fruits and vegetables to the local homeless shelter and donated them.  He also claims that he served sandwiches.  Like everything else, he lied...again...times infinity.

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