Member of Mayor’s Crime Panel was Once Part of Criminal Investigation
One member of Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson’s Blue Ribbon Panel on crime was once included in a grand jury investigation regarding a scam involving local bingo parlors. According to public records, local authorities investigated a number of questionable connections between three not-for-profit groups and their gaming operators, which according the October 12, 2001 edition of the Indianapolis Star grossed millions of dollars, but yielded slim rewards for the actual charities.
One of the charities involved was Forest Manor Multi-Service Center, whose Executive Director is Regina Marsh also serves on the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Crime Panel. According the Star, investigators said the bingo operations were illegally run by a third party instead of the charity, volunteers were illegally paid, records were fudged and financial records were hidden or destroyed, while most of the money went to benefit a few.
Although charges were filed in the case, none were filed against Marsh, however public records show that in 2000-01, the bingo operation associated with her charity took in more than $3.4 million and had profits of only $26,774. Such actions even led local African-American commentator Amos Brown to call for Marsh to be fired or resign from her post.
Although this story is nearly six years old, the fact the Marsh is on a panel whose job it is to fight crime and help the less fortunate is something that should have been taken into account and her never having been put on the panel in the first place. In addition, Marsh is also reportedly the Democrats’ pick as a primary challenger to Council Member, and occasional maverick, Sherron Franklin.
The Mayor says the panel will make its recommendations next week. It would be a shame that the committee’s hard work would be tainted by the past history of one member.
