VFW sues ex-officers accused in money case

4/13/2006

BOWLING GREEN VFW Post 2984 in Northwood filed suit yesterday in Wood County Common Pleas Court accusing two former officers of mishandling the post s money.

The complaint accuses former Quartermaster Jeff A. Redfox, of Toledo, who died in January, of failing to receipt money that was paid to the VFW for gaming tickets, resulting in a loss of about $24,000; failing to pay federal employment taxes resulting in penalties and late fees of more than $10,000; failing to pay Ohio sales tax that, with assessments, amounted to about $5,000, and failing to properly donate gambling receipts to outside charities, resulting in the state s demand that the post repay about $60,000.

The suit also names Jerry N. Street, of Northwood, who served as commander of the post until October, 2004. Mr. Street, the suit claims, was responsible for overseeing the quartermaster s activities and therefore was negligent in his duties.

The post is seeking $75,000 in damages as well as punitive damages of $25,000 from each of the defendants and attorney fees and costs.

Northwood attorney Brian Ballenger, who filed the suit, said the post had taken its allegations to the Ohio Attorney General s Office, but no action was taken.