Woodstock Moose Lodge could lose license amid illegal gambling probe – Northwest Herald

WOODSTOCK Moose Lodge 1329 in Woodstock could be in danger of losing its gaming and liquor license after accusations of illegal gambling activities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sager also noted an associated lack of responsible accounting and reporting in regards to funds.

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.

Local Moose lodge officials and Leuer werent immediately available for comment.

In the June edition of the Moose Family Center 1329s Moose Call newsletter, it states the board of officers is seeking nominations.

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.

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.

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Woodstock Moose Lodge could lose license amid illegal gambling probe - Northwest Herald