ALEXANDRIA, Va. - William Aramony, who led the United Way of America for decades before leaving in disgrace and serving a six-year sentence on fraud charges, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 84.

Aramony was the United Way's CEO from 1970 to 1992. But he resigned after using the organization's money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including gifts for a girlfriend who was 17 when the two first met.

Aramony's son, Robert Aramony, said his father died Friday in Alexandria at the son's home.

Robert Aramony said his father, a son of Lebanese immigrants, dedicated his time after his 2001 release from prison to peace-building efforts in the Middle East.

During his time at United Way, Aramony built a tangled web of disparate organizations into a philanthropic powerhouse.

(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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