Local Nonprofit Leader Embroiled in Sex Trafficking Scandal Using Opioid Settlement Funds
A prominent figure in Delaware County's nonprofit sector has been charged with using settlement funds from opioid manufacturers to coerce sex trafficking victims. Larry Arata, the founder of the Upper Darby-based Opioid Crisis Action Network (OCAN), allegedly used his position and influence to pressure women into providing sex in exchange for gifts, cash, and other benefits.
According to investigators, at least four women came forward claiming that Arata had used OCAN's recovery community center as a means to exploit them. The women said they were pressured by Arata to engage in oral sex, touch, and other forms of intimacy in exchange for meal credits, gift cards, rental assistance, and cash.
One woman alleged that she was forced to have sex with Arata on multiple occasions while relying on the nonprofit's services to pay her bills. Another claimed that Arata repeatedly offered her money to join him at a hotel in exchange for sex, but ultimately rejected his advances.
Arata, who co-founded OCAN with his wife Heather after their son died of an opioid overdose, is accused of using the organization's funds as leverage to satisfy his own desires. The Delaware County District Attorney's office believes that Arata may have taken advantage of other women in this manner.
The charges against Arata include 33 counts of trafficking in individuals, patronizing prostitutes, witness intimidation, and obstruction of justice. He was released on bail after posting $50,000, but faces a long list of serious allegations that could have far-reaching consequences for the nonprofit sector and the community it serves.
As an investigation into OCAN's financial dealings continues, questions are being raised about how much opioid settlement money Arata allegedly misused through the organization. The Delaware County district attorney said that he believes Arata "cynically and cruelly" exploited the funds to satisfy his own desires.
Arata's arrest is a shocking blow to the community, where OCAN has been praised for its advocacy work on behalf of people struggling with addiction. However, the allegations against him highlight the dangers of unchecked power and the need for accountability in nonprofit organizations that receive public funding.
A prominent figure in Delaware County's nonprofit sector has been charged with using settlement funds from opioid manufacturers to coerce sex trafficking victims. Larry Arata, the founder of the Upper Darby-based Opioid Crisis Action Network (OCAN), allegedly used his position and influence to pressure women into providing sex in exchange for gifts, cash, and other benefits.
According to investigators, at least four women came forward claiming that Arata had used OCAN's recovery community center as a means to exploit them. The women said they were pressured by Arata to engage in oral sex, touch, and other forms of intimacy in exchange for meal credits, gift cards, rental assistance, and cash.
One woman alleged that she was forced to have sex with Arata on multiple occasions while relying on the nonprofit's services to pay her bills. Another claimed that Arata repeatedly offered her money to join him at a hotel in exchange for sex, but ultimately rejected his advances.
Arata, who co-founded OCAN with his wife Heather after their son died of an opioid overdose, is accused of using the organization's funds as leverage to satisfy his own desires. The Delaware County District Attorney's office believes that Arata may have taken advantage of other women in this manner.
The charges against Arata include 33 counts of trafficking in individuals, patronizing prostitutes, witness intimidation, and obstruction of justice. He was released on bail after posting $50,000, but faces a long list of serious allegations that could have far-reaching consequences for the nonprofit sector and the community it serves.
As an investigation into OCAN's financial dealings continues, questions are being raised about how much opioid settlement money Arata allegedly misused through the organization. The Delaware County district attorney said that he believes Arata "cynically and cruelly" exploited the funds to satisfy his own desires.
Arata's arrest is a shocking blow to the community, where OCAN has been praised for its advocacy work on behalf of people struggling with addiction. However, the allegations against him highlight the dangers of unchecked power and the need for accountability in nonprofit organizations that receive public funding.
this is just heartbreaking - someone who was supposed to be helping others ends up exploiting them... opioid settlement funds are meant to help people recover from addiction not get taken advantage of by those in power 
i'm so sad for the women who were affected by Arata's actions and for the community that trusted OCAN 
I mean, who uses opioid settlement funds to coerce women into sex? It's like, what even is wrong with people? 
. I don't think we should be surprised by this, though - corruption in power always seems to come out in the end 
. What really gets me is that there are more women who might have been affected like these four women. We need more people holding people in power accountable for their actions 
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this is so messed up 
the fact that someone who's supposed to be helping ppl with addictions is using those same funds to exploit women is just sick 
but now he's facing 33 counts of trafficking in individuals 
that's not all, the fact that he was using the nonprofit's recovery community center as a front for his own twisted games is just mind-blowing 
i mean what's next? are ppl gonna start accusing other nonprofits of doing the same thing? 
we need to get to the bottom of this and make sure no one else gets taken advantage of 
arata's actions are totally unacceptable, exploiting women in need for sex is literally the darkest thing. OCAN was supposed to be helping people struggling w/ addiction not perpetuating more harm. And how many others did he allegedly hurt?! we gotta hold these ppl accountable and make sure our non-profits have strict checks & balances in place so this never happens again 
what was he thinking? i mean we all know about opioid crisis but you never think it'll lead to something like this. how many more ppl are gonna get hurt because of him? 
it's like, we should be supporting ppl who help with addiction, not exploiting them. gotta keep an eye on how this plays out in court 
I'm not surprised at all by this scandal... just another example of how easily corrupt people can take advantage of good intentions. Opioid settlement funds are meant to help those struggling with addiction, not line the pockets of someone using their influence for personal gain. What really gets me is that it's a nonprofit organization that's supposed to be helping others, and instead they're perpetuating harm. 
It's just heartbreaking thinking about all those women who were taken advantage of by Arata's manipulation and coercion 
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, but then he let power and greed corrupt him 
. Now we're all paying the price 
.
. I hope justice is served and that Arata faces the consequences of his actions 
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. I mean, who knew non-profits could be so... indulgent? The fact that he's being accused of coercing sex from four women is just wild. It's like, what a perfect storm of corruption – opioids and sex trafficking, yikes! 
.
it's like he used his position of power to take advantage of people in need 
the fact that he used opioid settlement funds to coerce sex trafficking victims is just sickening 
33 counts, that's some serious stuff 
this is why we need better regulations in place for nonprofits and more accountability for those in power 
The fact that he used his position to exploit people who needed help from OCAN is unacceptable. Nonprofit work should be about serving others, not satisfying personal desires 
This is just so messed up... I mean, who would have thought that someone in a position of trust like Larry Arata could do this to people? 
The fact that he was using opioid settlement funds to coerce sex trafficking victims is just sickening. It's all about the greed and power, you know? He must have had these women wrapped around his finger because he was supposed to be helping them with their addiction issues. But it turns out he was just using them for his own twisted desires. 
. And the fact that he was using opioid settlement funds is just crazy... I guess you can never fully know what's going on behind closed doors 
. It's not just about the person who got caught, it's about all the other people who might be getting taken advantage of 
.