Alleged Fraudster 'Bought' A Lake Of The Ozarks Museum For A Dollar

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit last month against a man in Camden County for deceptive practices related to charitable fundraising and nonprofit management.

The lawsuit alleges that the Jeffery Kowalski misrepresented his affiliation with the Camden County Historical Society, claiming to be its president to solicit funds unlawfully and take title to the building. The AG described Kowalski this way: "Defendant Jeffery Kowalski is an individual that is residing in an automobile that he uses to traverse multiple Missouri counties."

Several serious allegations are outlined in the suit, including misleading the public and conducting business under false pretenses. The Attorney General's office has also scrutinized the defendant's prior business activities.

"We assumed he wanted to help us, but he was helping himself instead," one historical society member told LakeExpo. "We were just stomping out forest fires."

Among the most shocking allegation: acting as an agent of the Historical Society, Kowalski allegedly transferred ownership of the Camden County Museum (the Historical Society's headquarters and an open-to-the-public museum full of Lake of the Ozarks historical memorabilia) to himself for $1.

Camden County Museum aerial Large.jpeg — DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI_0801.JPG

"He probably wanted to take control of the building, and he probably would have sold everything that was in there," said another member. "He was doing all kinds of crazy things."

Historical society members told LakeExpo that Kowalski allegedly:

-filed himself as the registered agent of the society, with the Missouri Secretary of State's office

-changed the society's mailing address

-created a new PayPal account that the society could not access, and

-tried to file for Payroll Protection Act funds on behalf of the society, as its registered agent.

As a result, the Attorney General’s office is seeking the return of the Historical Society’s building, a ban on Kowalski serving as an officer in any Missouri nonprofit, and full restitution along with civil penalties.

“As Attorney General, I take it seriously when someone fraudulently rips off Missourians, especially when it’s being done under the guise of charity work, “ said AG Bailey. “My Consumer Protection Unit thoroughly investigates complaints of fraud and takes swift action whenever we find enough evidence to move forward. Our aim is not only to hold bad actors accountable, but to deliver full restitution to all affected. That is what we hope to do in this case.”

Individuals who believe they have been victimized by fraud can contact the office through the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 392-8222 or submit a complaint online at ago.mo.gov.