Bingo now half as profitable for local charities - Mansfield News Journal
Charitable bingo games brought in nearly $4. 3 million to benefit nonprofit groups in Richland County a decade ago. But last year, bingo brought only half that amount for local groups, $2. 1 million — and organizers for some say they have not found alternate ways to replace a key stream of operating funds. The flow of cash coming in from traditional bingo games and instant "pull tab" games has slowed, echoing a statewide trend. Bingo got a black eye as a source of charitable fundraising in 2013, after operators of five local bingo games were charged with diverting money. Kendall Grogoza Clemons, hired as bookkeeper for the Mansfield Tyger All Sports Booster Club, pleaded guilty to nine counts involving theft, complicity, attempted money laundering and filing false tax returns. Last year, the state followed up by bringing a civil lawsuit in Richland County, resulting in a $6. 4 million jury award against Kendall Clemons, who operated or kept the books for several games. American Legion Post 16 saw $18,750 in instant bingo profits meant to benefit United Way of Richland County diverted, and AMVETS Post 31 similarly lost $7,560 meant to go to Military Veterans Resource Center. Source: www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com
