Save the Michaels of the World founder accused of stealing from charity

Avi Israel, founder of the local nonprofit Save the Michaels of the World, is being accused of stealing from the charity he started in honor of his son.

Court documents claim Israel, who was listed as the president of the board of directors, chief executive officer and director, used his title as leverage to take money and boost his salary without notifying any other Save the Michaels officials. Israel is also accused of locking out the CEO that was hired this year from seeing the group's bank accounts.

In a statement, Israel's attorney, Michael McGorry, states he denies any wrongdoing, and that the board knew about and consented his actions.

"My client denies any wrongdoing. He and his wife worked for years to try to make this not for profit a success. He donated time effort and loaned money to the not for profit in order that they could make payroll on numerous occasions. This is all retribution for him, wanting the money returned for the loans that he made to STM prior to him being unceremoniously thrown out out of the premises. He denies stealing anything, and it is his position that the board was well aware of all of his actions and consented to the same," McGorry said.

Save the Michaels works to raise awareness of prescription and other drug addictions.