DeWine
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced on Friday that his office has reached a settlement with a Middletown-based ministry to end its bingo operations.
Chee Chee Rose Ministries allegedly failed to use all of its net bingo profits for a charitable purpose, operated slot machines and games of chance, made improper payments to bingo workers and consultants for bingo services, made false statements on its application and withheld access to records.
"Ohioans have an expectation that charitable bingo games should benefit their charities, not enrich bingo workers and paid consultants," DeWine said. "Today's settlement is yet another example that those who abuse charitable bingo laws will not be tolerated."
DeWine's office gave notice of its intent to reject Chee Chee Rose Ministries' 2010 and 2011 charitable bingo applications in February as a result of the alleged charitable bingo law violations.
Under the terms of the agreement, Chee Chee Rose Ministries agreed to end all bingo operations after December 31. In addition, Dr. Chee Chee Rose agreed not to operate, conduct, volunteer or work in any capacity for any charitable bingo game, including instant bingo, after Dec. 31.
DeWine's office oversees charitable bingo games in Ohio, including instant bingo. The office's Charitable Law Section also oversees non-profit solicitations and charitable organizations.