If youâve ever wondered how gumshoe-style investigative reporting works, thereâs a new primer out. Itâs about a Harvard Law grad â John Donald Cody â who orchestrated a nationwide scam that swindled millions from people in the name of a fake veteranâs charity. Using a stolen identity, Cody billed himself as âCommander Bobby Thompson,â leader of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. The Navy Vets claimed 67,000 members. Its tax returns pegged its fundraising totals at more than $100 million. âThompsonâ operated the con mostly hiccup-free across 41 states for years, during which it passed at least one IRS audit. He also made hundreds of thousands in campaign donations. He had his photo taken with political luminaries such as President George W. Bush, Rudy Giuliani, Karl Rove and others.