Group wants state’s bingo ruling reversed
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) A nonprofit group that sponsors a championship drum and bugle corps wants a judge to reverse a state decision that shut down its multimillion-dollar bingo hall.
The state Racing and Wagering board decided last month to suspend the bingo operations of the Syracuse Brigadiers because of alleged state charitable-gaming law violations.
In a petition to state Supreme Court, the Brigadiers claim Racing and Wagering rules are vague and sometimes invented out of thin air.
The group said it received licenses from the city of Syracuse for 12 straight years without objection from the state, which only recently decided adult drum and bugle corps were ineligible to conduct bingo.
The group also claimed it attempted to comply with state gaming mandates, and that once the state moved to take away its bingo licenses, it was not afforded the opportunity to mount a proper legal defense.
The petition contends the Racing and Wagering Board’s action “was designed to deny the Brigadiers their rights and cause the total demise of the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum and Bugle Corps, rather than to actually seek compliance.”
State board spokeswoman Stacy Clifford said she could not comment until the board’s staff reviewed the court papers.
State Supreme Court Justice Edward D. Carni scheduled a hearing Feb. 3 to consider the Brigadiers’ request.
“If we can’t get an injunction on the (Feb.) 3rd, I don’t know what we’re going to do,” said Joe Geswaldo, chief financial officer for the Brigadiers.
The drum and bugle corps’ two affiliates _ Brigadier Alumni and Brigadier Boosters _ have grown into one of the biggest nonprofit bingo operations in the state.
Bingo and other charitable games of chance generated gross receipts as high as $4.4 million in 2003. Net earnings peaked at $1.6 million, and the Brigadiers’ 130-member unit won three straight national championships.
The Brigadiers admit they made mistakes but none that were deliberate, or that enriched anyone connected with the group.
LINK: Syracuse Brigadiers
Is there any progress on the re-opening of the Brigadier’s Bingo?
Many, many people really miss going there.
Thanks for any info you may have. Nancy
Nancy Gula — 6/22/2005 @ 11:03 am