Patch Largo, FL --The Largo-based nonprofit that gained the spotlight for stepping up to help a Palm Harbor child who lost both legs in a lawn mower accident last month is now drawing fire for its founder’s criminal past.
50 Legs in 50 Days has also drawn fire from the State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Tampa Bay Times is reporting.
The nonprofit that provides prosthetic limbs to those who cannot afford them was founded by ex-wrestler Steve Chamberland. State law bans Chamberland from soliciting donations directly because he pleaded guilty to grand theft back in 2009. While Chamberland did register his charity with the Internal Revenue Service to gain 501(c)3 status, he never registered with the state, the Times said.
During an impromptu news conference Tuesday, May 14, Chamberland and the nonprofit's board members told media the paperwork oversight was being taken care of.
As for Chamberland’s criminal past, he told the Times:
“I’m a wrestler. I was never a choir boy.”
Chamberland, an amputee who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, started the charity in 2011 after he was contacted by a friend who knew of a 9-year-old girl in need of a prosthetic leg. The girl was injured when she saved her sister's life by pushing her from the path of a truck headed their way.
"When I heard this story, I realized that my leg was taken for a reason and that I would devote myself to helping other children amputees," said Chamberland on his 50 Legs website. Chamberland contacted his prosthetic doctor and together they presented the girl with a prosthetic leg.
Most recently, Chamberland has made headlines for his efforts to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and also Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old Palm Harbor girl who lost both legs in April.
To read the full story about the scrutiny 50 Legs is drawing, see the Times' article here.
*Related:*
· *Golf Tournament to Benefit 50 Legs Prosthetics Charity*
· *8-Year-Old Girl Receives Legs, Support from 50 Legs Prosthetics Charity*
· *The Ireland Nugent Support Page *
· *Outpouring of Support for Family of Toddler Run Over by Lawn Mower*
· *How to Help Injured Toddler, Ireland Nugent*
· *Lawn Mower Accident: Toddler's Final Surgery Called a Success*
· *1,000 Flowers for Ireland and Her Family*
· *Lawn Mower Accident: More Surgery for Toddler This Weekend*
· *Golf Tournament to Benefit 50 Legs Prosthetics Charity*
· *Facebook Page Chronicles Recovery of Toddler Injured in Lawn Mower Accident*
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