RICHMOND, CA – A newly opened bingo hall has been shuttered after its city license was withdrawn and its landlord opened proceedings to evict it.
The Marina Bay Bingo Club in Richmond was opened with a fanfare of publicity on 31 March with local politicians and charities hailing the 32,000 square foot 500 person facility as great news for charitable fundraising.
But less than two months later the American Legion-sponsored club has been hit badly following revelations of the criminal past of its Commander, who has convictions for money laundering and operating a bingo permit kickback scheme in Oakland.
Post 875 Commander Eddie Welbon, 70, has served a 12 month sentence for money laundering and mail fraud. He is a preacher who has been regularly named in court documents by organisations, some of whom claimed that he has misused their name.
The city has revoke the bingo hall’s license on the grounds that it offers prizes greater than city laws permit and that it is being operated by a different organization than stated on the permit.
Marina Westshore Partners, the landlord of the building, has issued an eviction notice and is pursuing unpaid rent of $45,000 through the courts.
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