Convicted Dentist Donated to Carson Campaign

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

The longtime friend and convicted felon who counts Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson as a business partner donated $5,400 to the physician's campaign committee in May.
Campaign finance records show Alfonso Costa of Pittsburgh made the donation on May 14, but had $2,700 refunded to him apparently because the donation exceeded the legal limit.
Federal Election Commission records show the refund was dated May 25, the same day Costa's wife, Mary, wrote the candidate a $2,700 check.
The report states that the contributions were made through Carson America. The Costa's list their address in Wellington, Fla., where his company, Costa Land Company owns properties.
As reported last week Costa was convicted in 2008 on charges that he and a partner in a dental practice had defrauded insurance companies on medical claims.
Costa and Carson have many ties including an investment in a Pittsburgh area office building.
Following disclosure of their relationship, Carson issued a statement reaffirming his friendship with Costa and making no apologies for it.
In addition to the real estate investment, Costa's wife has been a longtime board member on Carson's charity, the Carson Scholars Fund.
Carson's endorsement of the Carson Land Company property in Positano, Italy appears on the company web site.
Carson is quoted as stating that the villa with its 10,000 square foot mansion "is the most beautifil spot on earth, and God has bless you as you have blessed others."
In an article published in Carson's hometown newspaper, the Baltimore Sun, Carson states that Costa is "a very close friend of mine" and describes the villa as having a five star rating.
"When we are not there and our friends are not there, it is rented for $30,000 to $50,000 per week," Carson states in the article.
 According to the Carson Land Company, other guests at the villa have included Julia Robert, Michael Keaton, Barbara Streisand and Ben Stiller.

Carson Charity Failed to Disclose Business Relationship

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A charity founded by Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson failed to disclose his business relationship with a Pittsburgh dentist who was convicted of healthcare fraud.
Tax returns for Carson Scholars filed with the IRS list Mary Costa as a board member for the past several years.
Mary Costa is the wife of Alfonso Costa, the Pittsburgh dentist convicted in 2008 on healthcare fraud charges.
As reported Thursday by the Associated Press and Mother Jones, Alfonso Costa and Carson have been longtime partners in real estate ventures including an Allegheny County office building under a long term lease with a national insurance company.
Real estate records show the property  located at 1721 Corcoran Road in Mount Lebanon is owned by INBS LLC. The property is assessed for $2.25 million. Carson and his wife are listed on corporation papers filed for INBS.
The Carson nonprofit tax returns, however, fail to disclose the fact that Carson and Mary Costa's husband are business partners.
Carson campaign officials did not immediately respond Thursday to requests for comment.
The tax returns do disclose that Amy Warner, who earned $130,688 in salary and benefits, is the spouse of board chairman Lee Warner.
The Carson Scholars nonprofit provides college scholarships to promising high school students who would not otherwise be able to continue their education.
It's board members include a former Maryland education official, Nancy Grasmick,  Carson's son and television reporter Sam Donaldson, who retired from ABC news in 2013.
In 2007 Costa was charged with defrauding insurance companies on claims stemming from his oral surgery practice. He ultimately pleaded guilty and in 2008 Carson was one of his primary supporters for a light sentence.
He was sentenced to a year of house arrest and 100 hours of community service.
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