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Ex-Lapeer H.S. coach pleads guilty to charitable gaming crimes

Two youth sports team associates also plead guilty

Detroit – A former Lapeer High School softball coach was sentenced to pay $500 in restitution to the Lapeer West Softball Club and to serve six months of non-reporting probation after pleading guilty April 7 in 67th District Court to three misdemeanor charitable gaming violations.  Two other Lapeer residents also pled guilty April 7 in 67th District Court to multiple misdemeanor charitable gaming violations involving the softball club.

The charges stemmed from a joint criminal investigation by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (see Feb. 11, 2016, MGCB news release).

Mallory Jackson, 28, of Davison also was sentenced by Judge Jennifer Manley to pay $225 in fines and court costs.  She pled guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting unlawful distribution of charitable gaming proceeds, which are six-month misdemeanors. Additionally, Jackson pled guilty to a third charge of conspiracy to violate state law regarding charitable gaming event management and compensation, a one-year misdemeanor.

“We are pleased the Lapeer West Softball organization will receive restitution, but we also hope these convictions inspire other organizations’ leaders and parents to be aware of their charity’s management practices and who is allowed access to charity funds,” said Richard Kalm, MGCB executive director. “While our agency has seen fewer criminal problems since introducing new charitable gaming rules in 2014, the MGCB will continue to investigate irregularities brought to our attention to protect the charities involved in charitable gaming.”

As part of Jackson’s plea agreement, two charges were dropped: a five-year felony embezzlement charge and a six-month misdemeanor charitable gaming law violation of unlawful distribution of charitable gaming event proceeds.  Jackson must report to the court for a review hearing on Oct. 20.

Jackson was charged with violating state charitable gaming law while she served as president of the Lapeer West Softball Club between September 2012 and October 2013.  Lapeer West Softball Club functioned as an independent organization not affiliated with the Lapeer Community Schools and was qualified for charitable gaming millionaire party licenses.

Gerald Miller, 49, of Lapeer was sentenced by Judge Mark Latchana to non-reporting probation and was ordered to pay a $300 fine and $425 in court costs and fees. The former vice president of Lapeer West Softball Club pled guilty to two counts of diverting charitable gaming funds, both six-month misdemeanors. The crimes occurred between December 2010 and March 2011. A Jan. 9, 2017, review hearing is scheduled and a 180-day jail sentence was held in abeyance.

Tamara Miller, 48, of Lapeer pled guilty to four counts of aiding and abetting a non-member to manage a charitable gaming event, which are six-month misdemeanors. The crimes occurred between October 2010 and July 2011. The former vice president of the Lapeer West Softball Club received a delayed sentence from Judge Latchana but was ordered to pay a $200 fine and $475 in fees and court costs. A Jan. 9, 2017, review hearing was scheduled and a 180-day jail sentence was held in abeyance.

Two Lapeer district teachers, Matthew Nowak and Theodore Tomczyk, also pled guilty to charitable gaming law violations recently.

Nowak, 38, was fined $725 in February after admitting to illegal distribution of charitable gaming proceeds and aiding and abetting an unqualified person to manage the Lapeer Wrestling Club’s millionaire party at Gloria’s Poker Palace in October 2013. The crimes are six-month misdemeanors.

Tomczyk, 53, was fined $400 and charged $525 in court costs and sentenced to three months of non-reporting probation in March after pleading guilty to unlawful distribution of charitable gaming proceeds, diverting charitable poker money and conspiracy to violate the Bingo Act, which authorizes charitable gaming. The six-month and one-year misdemeanor crimes occurred while he was president of the Lapeer West Soccer Club and the Lapeer West Boys’ Basketball Club in 2012 and 2013.

The wrestling, soccer and basketball clubs were not affiliated with the school district and were qualified to host charitable poker events.

"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."