Local Charity under Investigation

WKBW
December 13, 2012

http://www.wkbw.com/home/Local-Charity-Under-Investigation-183331961.html

[with video]

Albany, N.Y. (WKBW) - A program called Altamont that was started by an Albany area priest with locations all over the state including Buffalo is now under investigation.

The Altamont headquarters and other offices in Albany are the focus of the intense investigation and were raided by the feds, Wednesday. Altamont helps homeless drug addicts recover. Father Peter Young started the program many years ago. Officials have not said if Young himself is being targeted. Sources tell the Albany Time Union it centers around the organizations use of grant funding.

The Albany Time Union also reports the investigation involves Dennis Bassat who was a director of an Albany area facility. He was arrested last week after agents said he misused the organization's funds.

Altamont does have a presence in Buffalo. The facility is located on Sycamore Street and advertises itself as a place that houses ex-convicts, drug addicts and the homeless. There are no reports that this local facility is under investigation but the entire operation is under intense scrutiny.

The program has been praised by many from New York City to Buffalo as having helped hundreds of people. Again, the founder of the organization, Father Young, has not been named as one of the people being investigated. The FBI is remaining tight lipped about the raid.