Bingo Lawsuit in Ohio

The hearing is underway at Richland County Commons Pleas Court for State of Ohio vs. Kendall Clemons to distribute funds and dissolve liens for the nonprofit booster club’s money.

The lawsuit alleges that trustees of the Richland Sports Booster Club associated with Mansfield Schools stole money from the bank accounts to fund a bingo operation and to compensate themselves and bingo workers.

Beginning in 2006, dwindling school donations and bingo profits led the trustees to confiscate the scholarship trust leading to a complete termination. The lawsuit claims that falsified documents gain access to the scholarship trust to pay off the mortgage on property where the bingo games were held.

Attorney General Mike Dewine said the investigation was prompted after several complaints of theft were reported by the people who left the booster club. The Mansfield City School Board of Education voted to sever ties with the club in December 2010 over concerns of foul play.

Gambling Law & Society News General Bingo News