LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge ruled Wednesdaythat the founder of USA Harvest is competent
to stand trial on chargesof tax evasion mail fraud and money laundering, accused of using fundsfrom the
volunteer organization for personal expenses.U.S.District Judge Joseph McKinley concluded that the case
prosecutors arebringing against 63-year-old Hugh "Stan" Curtis is primarily based ondocuments such
as tax returns and other recorded evidence and can easilybe reconstructed without relying on Curtis’ memory
or assistance.McKinley also noted that "all indications are that government’s case
isstrong.""Even complete amnesia is not a bar to prosecution if thedefendant is otherwise
competent," McKinley wrote in a two-page ruling.USAHarvest uses volunteers to pick up surplus food from
restaurants,hotels, hospitals and various other food suppliers. The food isdelivered to missions, soup
kitchens, shelters and people in need.Curtisis charged with taking $183,354 from the charity and charging
another$370,000 in personal travel expenses. He has been in poor health sincebeing charged in September
2012.The case has been pending fornearly 15 months as Curtis has battled health issues and his attorneyhas
sought to have him declared incompetent because of his illnesses.No trial date has been set.Adoctor for the
prosecution and one hired by Curtis’ lawyers agreed thathis health is improving, but split on whether or not
Curtis couldassist with any defense or understand the ramifications of a guiltyplea. U.S. Magistrate Judge
Dave Whalin previously found Curtiscompetent, but defense attorney Scott Cox appealed the ruling
toMcKinley.Curtis, who founded the organization in 1989 as KentuckyHarvest of Louisville, faces charges of
mail fraud, money launderingand filing false income tax returns. None of the charities Curtis hasbeen
associated with were implicated in any wrongdoing.Curtis had been scheduled to plead guilty in December
2012, but the hearing was delayed after questions about his competency.Prosecutorssaid from September 2005
through September 2007, Curtis failed toreport to the Internal Revenue Service about $553,891.67 in
personalincome he received from USA Harvest. The amount includes the $183,354 instolen donations and
$370,537.67 in personal travel expenses that hecharged to USA Harvest.Prosecutors say Curtis used the
USAHarvest funds to pay for personal meals, personal entertainmentexpenses, and personal travel. In
addition, prosecutors say, Curtisfraudulently deducted approximately $353,165 in unreimbursed USA
Harvesttravel expenses on his 2005 through 2007 returns.On the website of USA Harvest, Curtis said the
charity serves more than 5,400 agencies nationwide.______Follow Associated Press reporter Brett Barrouquere
on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBarrouquereAPCopyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This
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