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First Posted: 12/18/2013

(AP) A federal judge has concluded that the founder of USA Harvest is competent to stand trial on charges that he used money from the volunteer organization for personal expenses.


U.S. District Judge Joseph McKinley on Wednesday ruled that the case against 63-year-old Hugh “Stan” Curtis is primarily based on paper records that can be reconstructed without the need for Curtis’ recollections.


Curtis is charged with taking $183,354 from the charity and charging another $370,000 in personal travel expenses. He has been in poor health since being charged in September 2012.


No trial date has been set.


USA Harvest uses volunteers to pick up surplus food from restaurants, hotels, hospitals and various other food suppliers. The food is delivered to missions, soup kitchens, shelters and people in need.


Associated Press