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mike jones's List: Elks negative news
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Sep 13, 04
I think they are selling there lodge to pay for all the fines.
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Saturday, September 11, 2004 Wilmington Elks lodge fined in video poker case Associated Press >> a d v e r t i s e m e n t << >> w e b t o o l s << Print Story | Email Story | News Tip? WILMINGTON, N.C. - A Wilmington Elks lodge involved in a video poker business has been fined $100,000 for conspiring to conduct an illegal gambling operation. U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle imposed the fine Friday against Wilmington Elks Lodge No. 532. The organization, which runs a lodge on Oleander Drive, also forfeited $500,000 to the government under a plea agreement was reached earlier this year, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Prosecutors said the Elks kept video poker machines at the lodge and paid cash winnings to players, then used the cash to pay employees salaries, purchase equipment and pay other expenses. The lodge pleaded guilty to the charge in February. A lodge official said then that the organization would never use the machines again. Garland Garrett Sr. was an officer, trustee and "Exalted Ruler" of the lodge and was president of the North Carolina Elks Association in 1971. He died last year. The lodge had an agreement with Garrett's Cape Fear Music Co. He and his son, Garland B. Garrett Jr., a prominent Democratic Party fund-raiser and former state transportation secretary, were charged with distributing video poker machines that paid out higher cash awards and sharing the proceeds. A federal judge dismissed charges against Garland Garrett Sr. because Alzheimer's left him incompetent. Garland Garrett Jr. was sentenced in June 2003 to five months in federal prison after pleading guilty to operating an illegal gambling business. His son, Garland "Trey" Garrett III, was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to the same charge. He had agreed to testify against his father and grandfather. Prosecutors said the Elks conspired to "conduct, finance, manage, supervise, dire
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Elks Club Shooting Sends 3 People To Hospital 2 People Charged With Criminal Homicide POSTED: 11:13 am EDT October 18, 2004 BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Arrest warrants have been issued for two people accused in a shooting in Beaver County. Lamont Cleckley and Leslie Cleckley Jr. have been charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide. Three people were wounded in Sunday's shooting at the Elks Club in Beaver Falls. Vashon Moreland, Rebecca Harris, and Rudy Graham were rushed to the hospital. Their conditions are not being released.
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Nov 17, 04
Not too good a response from the Lodge apparently.
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Ugly Legal Battle Tarnishes Elks' Image Chris Halsne KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter UPDATED: 10:47 AM PST November 16, 2004 The Elks have had a reputation for caring and charity since inception in 1868. However, an ugly legal battle right now, right here, might tarnish all those good deeds. Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne discovers how a rich, powerful fraternal organization is turning a blind eye to the needs of one of their own. Tax records show the elks of the usa have 1.1 million members, 2100 local lodges and $375 million in the bank. KIRO Team 7 Investigators ask why none of that money -- none of the members -- are helping ray Breda. This is Ray Breda, Elk of the Month not long ago at a Lake City, Washington lodge. Vibrant and healthy, he volunteered his retirement time as a fix-it-all maintenance man for the Elks. Then, in an explosive moment in time -- one Ray can't even remember -- the 71-year-old had to learn to use wheels as legs.In 2000, Breda was hit in the head with a piece of metal the size of a hubcap. A water pump exploded while he was repairing it at the Elks swimming pool. He lived, but nothing will ever be the same. "We've been married 46 years and I would talk to him and he would turn away and turn back again and say 'And who are you again?" said his wife, Joan. "He's just not a companion. He hardly recognizes people. My children, I have to remind him of what their names are and what the grandchildren's names are." Joan Breda says she has learned to cope with Ray's head injury, his forgetfulness, his physical degeneration. There is something she can't reconcile, however. "This is one of their own and they completely turned their backs on him. There weren't card. There weren't visits," she said. The Lake City Elks didn't build Ray a much-needed wheelchair ramp or get Joan a much needed wheelchair accessible van. In fact, quite the opposite. According to this lawsuit, the Elks fingered Ray,
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Guilty plea for shooting at Sunlight Elks Lodge in April By: F.M. Wiggins, Staff Writer 11/18/2004 Email to a friend Printer-friendly HOPEWELL- The suspect in the shooting of four people outside of the Sunlight Elks Lodge on High Street pleaded guilty yesterday in Circuit Court to one count of unlawful wounding. Reginald Allen, 22, was arrested in May in connection with the April 25 shooting. Advertisement All Tune and Lube, Winterize Special Police said Allen fired into a car full of young women who were leaving the lodge parking lot after attending a social function there which had been put on by a group renting the building, not lodge members. All four victims were hospitalized after the shooting. Three were initially reported in critical condition and a fourth was treated and released, Hopewell police said at the time. Police encountered a large crowd outside the building on their arrival, with shots being fired and bottles being thrown in the lodge parking lot.
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Elks Lodge Gunfire Wounds 3 POSTED: 6:45 pm EST December 5, 2004 UPDATED: 6:49 pm EST December 5, 2004 BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Police in Beaver County are investigating an Elks Lodge shooting that left three people wounded. The gunfire erupted at about 3 a.m. Sunday at the club, located at 1000 6th Ave. in Beaver Falls. A medical helicopter was called to transport at least one of the victims, authorities said. The condition of the three victims is not known. Authorities say no arrests have been made in the shootings.
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Elks Lodge official accused of embezzlement By Independent staff GALLUP — The local chapter of Elk's Lodge paid about $20,000 in fines and penalties to the IRS this year due to allegedly fraudulent practices by the organizations one-time treasurer. John Williams, 69, will appear in magistrate court on Dec. 16 to face 26 counts of embezzlement that allegedly occurred during his term. The counts range from misdemeanors to fourth-degree felonies. Williams reportedly pleaded not guilty to the multiple charges. Jim Larrabee, exalted ruler of the lodge, said he is not certain of the exact amount of money that was embezzled from the organization because the amount increases with each time he is contacted by the district attorney's office.
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Dec 09, 04
How could a lodge miss $250,000? where were the trustees?
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Elks Lodge bookkeeper charged By Neil Nisperos - Staff Writer 12/8/04 A longtime bookkeeper for the Elks Lodge in Lompoc has been charged with grand theft in the embezzlement of more than $250,000 from the fraternal organization. Pollyanna Luis, 44, who was charged on Nov. 22, appeared before Superior Court Judge James Iwasko in Lompoc Tuesday for arraignment, which was delayed until Jan. 4. Police suspect Luis of stealing the money from Elks Lodge No. 2274 between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2003, said Lompoc Police Sgt. Michael Collins. She was the lodge's bookkeeper for 25 years before being fired last year. Luis, also known as Polly LaLiberte, declined to comment after appearing in court with attorney Thomas Barnard, an associate of her private attorney, William Gamble, of Santa Maria. The Elks filed a lengthy report of missing money with Lompoc police on Dec. 18, 2003. An independent audit of the lodge's financial books over a six-year period was competed last July and forwarded to police for investigation. Gamble, contacted after Tuesday's hearing, said the defense will review the audit to determine its accuracy. "(Luis) contacted me after the lodge claimed that there were accounting problems," Gamble said. "We've been working with the lodge's attorney to determine the nature of the problem." "If the audit shows that she didn't use the correct accounting procedures, we will certainly seek a disposition with the court, along with paying restitution," he added. Deputy District Attorney Jerald F. McBeth filed a felony complaint on Nov. 22 charging Luis with grand theft. Collins said Luis was charged without being arrested. "An arrest is not necessary if we feel the person will appear in court," he said. If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Some Elks Lodge officials declined to comment; others did not return telephone calls. The lodge, founded more than 40 years ago, has organized and p
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Elks lament loss of money; effect on community projects By Neil Nisperos - Staff Writer 1/7/05 An estimated $250,000 allegedly embezzled from the Lompoc Elks Lodge would have helped support community programs for the handicapped, Boy Scouts, students and the needy, lodge members said Thursday. The loss of the money, reported in late 2003, will hamper the organization's community-aid efforts by about three years, said Elks members, who added that they were saddened that their programs were undermined.
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Jan 15, 05
Why every lodge should have an active Audit committee
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Elks make changes By Neil Nisperos - Staff Writer 1/14/05 Accounting procedures at the Lompoc Elks Lodge have changed in the wake of an alleged embezzling scheme that has caused sadness and shock throughout the organization, a lodge official said Thursday. Pollyanna Luis, the lodge's former bookkeeper, was charged with grand theft late last year after a 6-month audit of the lodge's books. Authorities suspect Luis of embezzling $250,000 from the lodge between 2000 and 2003. Luis' attorney, William Gamble, said his client is willing to pay $80,000 in restitution, and said he may dispute the $250,000 figure in court.
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Man accused in slashing By RICHARD LIEBSON THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: January 20, 2005) A Yonkers man has been arrested in the slashing of a Mount Vernon man in White Plains last week. Aaron Austin, 43, of 222 N. Broadway, was charged Tuesday with second-degree attempted murder, a felony, after he turned himself in at White Plains police headquarters that afternoon. He is accused of slashing a 38-year-old Mount Vernon man in the neck on Jan. 14, opening a wound that required 38 stitches.
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About 1 a.m. police were called to a brawl at the Elks Lodge, 4249 El Camino Real, the site of a quinceañera party, and found two badly beaten men in the parking lot. The victims, both East Palo Alto residents, ages 17 and 19, were taken to Stanford University Hospital where they were listed in stable condition, Hernandez said. The 19-year-old was later discharged, according to the hospital. No information was available on 17-year-old. Not long after police arrived, officers in nearby Los Altos stopped a car with three adults and a minor, all identified as suspects, Hernandez said.
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Feb 17, 05
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LOMPOC, Calif. A former Elks Lodge bookkeeper pleaded guilty to embezzling funds and agreed to pay 50-thousand dollars as a down payment toward restitution. Pollyanna Luis, who worked at the lodge for three years, is expected to be sentenced to a year in jail. Sentencing was scheduled for March 29th. Prosecutors said the total amount of restitution hasn't been calculated, but the Elks Lodge claims the figure is around 250-thousand dollars. Luis' attorney William Gamble, however, said the amount was more in the vicinity of 50-thousand dollars to 80-thousand dollars. The defense lawyer said he will attempt to negotiate restitution with the Elks' insurance company.
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Mar 18, 05
I wonder why this lodge closed (merged with another). Such a shame though the police picked up where the elks faltered
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Pancakes stacks to dominate Sunday By Eileen O. Daday Daily Herald Correspondent Posted Friday, March 18, 2005 Arlington Heights police officers will trade their uniforms for aprons on Sunday when they host their 23rd annual pancake breakfast. The all-you-can-eat event takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a new location this year, the Hersey High School cafeteria, 1900 E. Thomas St. in Arlington Heights. Tickets are $3 per person. Typically the event draws 900 people and officers are bracing for even more with the bigger venue. For the last several years the event was held at the Arlington Heights Elks Lodge, which closed recently when it merged with the Des Plaines Elks Club.
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20 cited for illegal gambling at Elks Lodge By Jeff Keller/Current-Argus Staff Writer Mar 23, 2005, 03:23 am Email this article Printer friendly page CARLSBAD — An anonymous tip led to the issuance of 20 citations for illegal gambling Saturday at the Carlsbad Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge. According to a release by the State of New Mexico Gaming Control Board, undercover agents accompanied by Carlsbad Police Department members, entered the Lodge unannounced and found 20 individuals allegedly taking part in an illegal poker game. Capt. Kelly Lowe of the Carlsbad Police Department said police officers accompanied the undercover agents as an assisting agency to make sure there were no incidents during the period of investigation and issuance of citations. According to the release, “The following Carlsbad residents were cited by undercover agents on charges of illegal gambling: Herbert Mackey, Clarence Wells, Phillip Porter, Harry Young, Arthur Johnson, Henry Mall, John Pack, Jay Jenkins, Darwin Pendergrass, Sammy Landreth, James Miller, Larry Sells, Hugh Davidson, Gerald Wickstrom, Ronald Mathews, Roy Cantley, Edwin Clark, Jimmy Stokum, James Landreth and Everett Wheeler.”
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3/31/2005 9:27:07 AM Catherine Kim A local club bilked out of nearly $100,000 by an employee has recovered only 50 bucks. Bookkeeper and charity coordinator Joni Mommaerts embezzled $113,000 from Elks Lodge and Toys for Tots. Since then, despite insurance, the club is still down $40,000, and they've recovered only $50 from Mommaerts herself. To make up the difference, the club cut $12,000 from its charity fund, reduced staff and dining hours. According to Exalted Ruler Mark Coates, club members doubled the number of hours they volunteer to help make up for the charity fund shortfall. “We're still suffering a little bit from the impact of that, trying to gain the trust of the membership,” says Elks Lodge Chairman Mike Mueller. The Elks Club lost an estimated 350 members in the past 3 years, but Coates says new members are joining and that the organization is once again on solid financial ground. Mommaerts was released from jail in January. She has $103,000 in restitution to pay back to the Elks and the local Toys for Tots program.
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Women win suit against Elks MONTPELIER (AP) -- A jury has awarded four women $5,000 each after finding that the Elks Lodge in Hartford discriminated against them by denying them membership because of their gender. The four women alleged in a lawsuit that the Hartford Elks, Lodge No. 1541, violated state law by rejecting them because of their gender when they applied for membership in 1996. After deliberating for a total of more than 10 hours Thursday and Friday, the jury agreed with the plaintiffs and evenly divided $20,000 among the women in punitive damages against the lodge.
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Firefighter Dies Defending Home In Blaze Flags Flown At Half-Staff In Burke UPDATED: 3:31 pm EDT April 18, 2005 BURKE, N.Y. -- He protected his community for decades as a firefighter, and this weeked he died while trying to save his own home. The fire at Dale Monica's home broke out early Saturday in Burke, near Malone. Monica's good friend and colleague, Charles Laplant, saw the house burn early Saturday. "About five minutes after (the fire broke out) we got to the scene and (Monica) went down to the ground," Lapant said. "I know he was in the fire. He was sleeping upstairs." Hours later, Monica passed away at the hospital. Flags are being flown at half-staff at the Burke firehouse. Monica was a lifelong resident of the Malone area, and was former president of the Elks Club there. "He was very quiet, and he never asked anything of anybody," said Alan Durant of the Malone Elks Club. "He was a really good firefighter," Laplant added.
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Guilty plea entered in case involving Elks Club gambling MERIDEN — The city man accused of operating a video poker machine with several members of an organized crime family at the Elks Club between 1997 and 2000 pleaded guilty last week to a charge of conspiring to conduct an illegal gambling business. Francis Gratta, 55, of 153 New Hanover St., and 28 other people have been convicted of federal offenses stemming from an investigation of the crime family's gambling businesses throughout the state. Gratta is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 1 and faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In February 2000, state police executed a search warrant at the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks lodge on East Main Street. They subsequently seized a "Cherry Master" machine, a video poker game. The machine is illegal under state law, according to U.S. State Attorney Kevin O'Connor. The machine was located in a locked room within the establishment and could only be accessed by using a membership card.
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Five injured in nightclub shooting; Canton man wanted Associated Press CANTON, Miss. - A Canton man is wanted on five counts of aggravated assault after a weekend shooting at a party that sent his father and four others to a hospital, Police Chief Robert Winn said. Javoda Horn, 23, attended a party Saturday night at the Elks Lodge in Canton. Around 12:34 a.m. Sunday, Winn said Horn fired at least six shots, wounding five people. Horn fled on foot and then jumped into someone else's car, Winn said.
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MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- A quiet night at the Elks Club turned violent in Middletown early Thursday morning when gunshots rang out. The shooting happened shortly after midnight at the club on 8th Avenue. Police said it appears two men were in the parking lot of the Elks Club when they were approached by two other men, possibly wearing masks. They said it appears that the men who approached the other two pulled out handguns and began shooting.
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