WOODSTOCK Moose Lodge 1329 in Woodstock could be in danger of losing its gaming and liquor license after accusations of illegal gambling activities. <\/p>\n
A member of the Moose Lodge board of directors approached the city in March with concerns about a member who had taken out a raffle license under the boards name for a private, off-site party. Recently, more concerns were expressed about illegal gambling and possible embezzlement by the same member, City Manager Roscoe Stelford said. <\/p>\n
We are working with the board and discussing this with them, he said. We want to continue those discussions. We have a good understanding of what has occurred and what the repercussions could be. <\/p>\n
Stelford said he recommended the board contact the Woodstock Police Department regarding the embezzlement and illegal gambling accusations. Woodstock police werent immediately available for comment Thursday. <\/p>\n
Mayor Brian Sager wrote a letter to Moose International General Gov. Michael Leuer on May 26 that requested intervention with the local lodge. He said the the lodges executive board told him that a member had been engaging in illegal gambling while claiming to work on the lodges behalf. <\/p>\n
Sager also noted an associated lack of responsible accounting and reporting in regards to funds. <\/p>\n
I certainly do not want to be forced to revoke licenses, which might result in loss of revenue and financial feasibility of one of our most cherished service organizations, Sager wrote. I respectively request you work with the leadership of our local lodge to swiftly and decisively address the underlying issue and eliminate the need for potentially negative municipal intervention. <\/p>\n
Local Moose lodge officials and Leuer werent immediately available for comment. <\/p>\n
In the June edition of the Moose Family Center 1329s Moose Call newsletter, it states the board of officers is seeking nominations. <\/p>\n
Due to recent, unexpected vacancies of the Lodge Board of Officers, it is necessary to once again hold nominations for elected officers for the 2017-2018 year, the document said. Lodge elected offices that are currently vacant are: governor, junior governor, treasurer, prelate and 2nd-year trustee. <\/p>\n
The lodge operates as a nonprofit organization with more than 1,000 members governed by a board with nine officers. It had revenue of $675,801, according to tax records filed in September 2016. <\/p>\n
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Woodstock Moose Lodge could lose license amid illegal gambling probe - Northwest Herald<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WOODSTOCK Moose Lodge 1329 in Woodstock could be in danger of losing its gaming and liquor license after accusations of illegal gambling activities. Continue reading