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Former Bentley school board member, Burton man face felony charges following Attorney General, Michigan Gaming Control Board investigation

Detroit – A former Bentley School board member faces larceny and embezzlement charges and a Burton, Mich., man faces larceny charges following a Michigan Attorney General’s office and Michigan Gaming Control Board investigation of charity poker events at Gloria’s Poker Palace in Burton between 2010 and 2013.

Former school board member Michael McCollum, 51, of Burton, and Todd West, 55, of Burton, pled not guilty in 67th District Court to multiple charges after a two-year investigation into the alleged gaming crimes:

  • McCollum was arraigned Jan. 12 in the Grand Blanc court on multiple felony charges of larceny by false pretenses, one felony embezzlement charge and 19 misdemeanor violations of the Bingo Act, which authorizes charitable gaming in Michigan. McCollum was released on a $230,000 personal bond.
  • West was arraigned Jan. 7 in the Burton court on three felony larceny by false pretenses counts and 10 counts of aiding and abetting managing a millionaire party without being a member of the qualified organization in violation of the Bingo Act. West was released on a $24,000 personal bond.

 

“Our investigation revealed a web of deception that allowed several people to feed off charity events, leaving the leftovers for the charities,” said Richard Kalm, executive director, MGCB.

“McCollum and West allegedly took money from the charities for personal gain or other illegal purposes, shortchanging charities by leading them to believe some of the diverted money was helping youth in the community,” he said. “Under Michigan law, the charity is required to keep its own records and manage its own events. The charities were not present for many events handled by McCollum and West, who allegedly took over events, falsified records and illegally skimmed profits.”

McCollum took proceeds from charitable events affiliated with two Catholic churches, Blessed Sacrament and St. Francis Xavier, between 2010 and 2013. He and other nonmembers operated the events instead of the charities themselves as required by law. The MGCB suspended charitable gaming at Gloria’s Poker Palace in 2013 because of multiple gambling violations.

McCollum spent charitable gaming proceeds on a time-share property in Mexico and vacations. The three larceny by false pretenses charges carry penalties of five to 15 years in prison and fines ranging from $10,000 to $15,000. The embezzlement count is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater. The 19 state charitable gaming law violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

West, who arranged and operated charity gaming events, is accused of participating in the scam and allegedly stealing money from Blessed Sacrament Church, the church’s men’s club and rosary altar society, Knights of Columbus Council 11532 and Kearsley Hockey Boosters while working on events held at Gloria’s Poker Palace. The three larceny by false pretenses charges carry penalties of up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. The 10 misdemeanor charitable gaming law violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

McCollum and West allegedly skimmed profits from the charities in more than 130 licensed events. The charities were instructed to write checks to The Renegades travel baseball club and MT Athletics. It is believed McCollum converted more than $93,000 to his own use. West allegedly converted more than $15,000 to his own use.

The Catholic charities and the hockey boosters were victims in this case, Kalm said.

Gloria’s and two other Flint area “poker rooms”  --  Pocket Aces and Lucky’s  --  are among several Michigan locations where charitable gaming was discontinued following MGCB investigations.  Since 2014, five people associated with Pocket Aces and Lucky’s have pled guilty to gaming crimes following investigations by the Michigan Attorney General’s office and the MGCB. Investigations into charitable gaming activities are continuing.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

"The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the State of Michigan."