Seward Fire Department caught in poker scandal
30th July, 2008
A volunteer fire department might not be able to pay for a fire truck they need desperately because the government is working to seize a little over $40,000 because the funds were allegedly raised illegally.
The volunteer fire department of Seward, Pennsylvania, allegedly raised money through the hosting of a Texas Hold’em poker tournament. Either way, the fire department is expected to be penalized and the people who organized the event will be charged with running an illegal gambling ring.
“We rented the hall to this outfit and they give us a percentage and I mean we have a $250,000 fire truck to pay for,” said David Patterson, a former fire chief. “This is a town of 150,160 people in a borough – how are we going to pay for it?”
The fire department is hoping the government will give them a break on this on instance because it’s not like they’re spending the money on luxury items for personal use. They raised the money for a good cause, and although it was illegal, many say they wouldn’t mind the government looking the other way on this one.
“As hard as it is for a volunteer fire department to raise money other than a bingo or some other single evening function, the state has to be forgiving somewhere,” Patterson said.
State Troopers already seized $9,728 from a tournament on Aug. 3 but the other $31,086 is still being kept in the fire department’s account at the AmeriServ Financial of Johnstown.
By Michael
