Club to pay $205,000 in gambling lawsuit

4/9/2003

CLYDE, Ohio — A social club has agreed to pay the state $205,000 to settle a lawsuit filed over allegations of illegal gambling.

Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2291 reached the settlement Monday with the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

Mark Gribben, a spokesman for the attorney general, said $184,500 of the settlement will be distributed to charities chosen by the state; the re|mainder will reimburse the state and other law enforcement agencies for enforcement and legal costs.

State liquor control agents confiscated $7,550, betting slips, documents, and two computers containing gambling records from the Eagles lodge during a raid in January, 2000. Mr. Gribben said the amount of the settlement reflects revenue the club received from illegal instant bingo games in 1999 and 2000.

Under the settlement, the Eagles lodge may apply for a state license to run traditional bingo games.