Police investigate sale of tickets for a bogus group

Tickets were sold throughout the township.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Township police are investigating what appears to be a bogus raffle being conducted by a 31-year-old West Boulevard man under the name of a local organization that doesn't exist.
According to police, the tickets have been sold throughout the township. Printed on the front of the tickets are the Marine Corps motto incorrectly spelled as "Semper Fideles," "$5 donation," "winner need not be present" and "drawing Oct. 15."
The tickets are being sold as a 50/50 raffle fund-raiser for the Mahoning County Marine Corps League.
The problem is that there is no Mahoning County branch of the Marine Corps League, said Bob Harris, judge advocate for Department of Ohio Marine Corps League.
The misspelled word adds insult to injury, he said. Translated from Latin, "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful."
Here's the problem: "This organization does not exist in the state of Ohio," said Harris. "The winner of this raffle is supposed to get 50 percent of whatever this guy takes in but I can tell you right now they won't be getting anything."
Harris said the Marine Corps League has 33 detachments and seven auxiliary units in Ohio. He said the organization is not conducting any fund-raisers at this time.
Authorities learned of the possible scam when an employee from Boardman Printing, 4715 Market St., called police to complain about a man who had tickets printed for a raffle contest and paid for the tickets with a personal check from a closed credit union account. The company made several attempts to reach the man to collect the $93 debt.
Police, however, did contact the man.
Sgt. Albert Kakascik said the man admitted selling the tickets, but gave officers a detailed explanation as to why he printed and sold the tickets. The man also told police another person is involved in selling the tickets.
Ongoing probe: Kakascik would not give details about the man's account of what happened because the situation is still being investigated. He did say the department will look into filing charges should detectives find any problems in the man's explanation.
Harris, regardless of any explanation, is upset that the man would use the Marine Corps name to conduct an unauthorized raffle. He would like to see any residents who purchased ticket get their money back.
Kakascik said authorities may look into some type of reimbursement through the courts. He requested that anyone who has bought any of the tickets contact Lt. J.D. Heaver at (330) 726-4144.
jgoodwin@vindy.com