03-23-05 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUThS CITY COUNCIL., MARCH 23, 2005 are making a profit, their expenses exceed the limitations imposed under State Law. There are currently Cwo bills proposed in the Legislature to address this issi~ie. One bill would restructure the rent controls in place at bingo halls, the other would increase allowable expenses. H'both bills move forward, it is still uncertain whether or not the impact would be enough to resolve the compliance issue. 13lesener indicated that at this point in the meeting, the CF.,O of Millennium Charity Plus would like to address the Council relative to the organization's status. Linda Fahey, Cl/O, Millennium Charity Plus, appeared before the Council and reported that the former CL;O and the former Gambling Manager of Millemiium Charity Plus have been prosecuted and convicted for crimes committed in the performance of their duties for the organization. Fahey reported that Millennium put a new Board of Directors in place and for the past two years Millennium Charity Plus has been hying to recover from these crimes committed against the organization as well as deal with the tax issues that were left in the aftermath. Fahey reported that the Federal and State Courts have considered Millennium Charity Plus as a victim in these crimes, and the organization filed victim impact statements with the Courts. 1-lowever, the Gambling Control Board and the State Compliance Regulation Uroup have not considered them as victims, but rather responsible for the actions of the former CGO and former Gambling Manager who were convicted of crimes. Fahey stated drat she understands that it is the job of the GCB and CRG to enforce the rules, but that enforcement does not seem just in this situation. 1=ahey stated that Millennium is out ofcompliance at this time and has until April to get back into compliance. whey also pointed out, however, that the Gambling Control l~3oard will be revoking Millennium's gambling license and their attorney is negotiating the date that the revocation will occur. Fahey stated that she wanted to thank the Council for its support and wanted to dispel some of the rumors that are out there. Fahey also wanted to ehanl< the employees of Millennitun Charity Plus and recommend them to any organization that may take over at the Little Canada Bingo Hall. Blesener stated that it is a shame that Millennium Charity Plus and its CLO and Board of Directors are being penalized forthe actions o1'a couple of individuals that the present organizational sh'ucture had nothing to do with. Blesener noted that Millennium Charity Plus has worked with the City and the State for the past two years to clean this matter rip, and now it seems the organization is being punished for doing so. Blesener pointed out the money that Millennium Charity Plus has donated to the 4