A Capitol Rioter Paid To Do Community Service Online

Logan Social Services’ executive director William Smith, who signed Hemenway’s letter, responded to emailed questions. He confirmed that Hemenway paid the fee listed online. He wrote that the money paid by clients went toward “advertising, site upkeep and materials” and compared it to people paying for goods at a Goodwill store (some Goodwill branches allow people to complete court-ordered community service, but don’t appear to charge fees).

Hemenway’s certification letter stated that the services he provided were “educational in nature, with a labor component, and provide ongoing value to the community and the client through self-improvement.” Asked about the “labor component,” Smith wrote that was a reference to the work clients perform as “teaching assistants” reviewing materials for Logan Social Services’ other pay-to-certify course offerings.

“For example, they might share a personal story about anger management, and I can then use it in my anger courses on other sites, if I find it appropriate and helpful,” Smith wrote.

Hemenway’s lawyer declined to comment and declined an interview request on his behalf. A representative of the probation office for the US District Court for the District of Columbia declined to discuss specific cases or organizations, but said that in general, defendants had to get advance approval for their community service plans.

Logan Social Services’ website states that its program is accepted by courts and employers “in most cases” but notes that it doesn’t guarantee it. The site encourages potential clients to get permission before starting the program and makes clear that it won’t provide refunds if a court or probation office rejects it later.

Samples of the materials for the community service program aren’t available without registering. But Smith provided a copy of the “American Government” course that Hemenway’s letter referenced over email. It’s a grade-school-style text that describes basic structures of the US political system; Smith said it’s missing diagrams that would appear online.

Logan Social Services promotes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A public records search showed the organization is affiliated with a church, Full Gospel of Christ Fellowship Inc. Smith wrote that although it falls under the church’s nonprofit registration, it’s a “secular social services agency”; the organization’s websites don’t mention the church and don’t feature religious content. He wrote that Logan Social Services has provided online community service programs for 12 years and served more than 100,000 clients.

“I would say that our program isn’t for everyone, but it does fill a need. We have many physically challenged clients who can’t find a place where they can go and do their work requirement. Also, for example, there are clients who have committed certain crimes where you wouldn’t want they restocking books at the public library,” Smith wrote. “Finally, Covid has seriously reduced the work opportunities available, and many clients report our services have been a big help to them.”