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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, September 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 10, 2004 Suspected embezzlement prompts bingo parlor audit By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Suspected embezzlement from a White City charity has sparked statewide scrutiny of vending machines in bingo parlors. Investigators Monday commenced an audit of Oregon’s nine bingo parlors licensed under the state’s Charitable Activities Section of the Department of Justice, spokeswoman Victoria Cox said. In addition to bingo games, proceeds from vending machines in bingo halls must benefit the licensed charity, she said. Vending machines were vehicles for a recent internal theft from Cascade Bingo in White City, Detective Colin Fagan of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said. Cascade Bingo manager and civic leader Judith Ann Burns was arrested last month on allegations that since 1997 she had stolen about $50,000 from the bingo hall’s licensee, White City Community Improvement Association. Burns set up illicit contracts with a vendor of coin-operated, crane-style toy machines and profited from their use at Cascade Bingo, Fagan said. Among the founders of the improvement association and a board member, Burns resigned from her position as bingo manager in April. Burns, 64, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of racketeering, five counts of first-degree theft and three counts of falsifying businesses records. Her arrest did not affect the license held by Cascade Bingo, which still operates games, state officials said. Advertisement If convicted, Burns could face prison time, fines, restitution orders and civil penalties. No trial date has been set in the case. She remains free on her own recognizance. Burns’ arrest alerted state regulators, who had never looked closely at profits from vending machines in bingo halls, Cox said. The Department of Justice is auditing parlors in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Springfield and Coos Bay, Cox said. Regular audits now will include vending machines of all varieties, she added. "We don’t suspect there are any other instances, ... but we do want to make sure," Cox said. Cascade Bingo has signed a new contract with the toy machine vendor, Sugarloaf of Louisville, Colo., ensuring that all proceeds benefit the improvement association, said board president Ron Wilson. The association also has verified it receives commission from Cascade Bingo’s only other vending machine, which dispenses cigarettes, Wilson said. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities