Lapeer High School softball coach faces embezzlement charges

A Lapeer High School softball coach faces embezzlement charges following a joint investigation by the Michigan Attorney General's Office and the Michigan Gaming Board.

Along with the softball coach, two Lapeer residents must answer to misdemeanor charitable gaming violations and a Lapeer district teacher has pled guilty to charitable gaming violations following the investigations.

The two year investigation focused on charity poker events held at Gloria's Poker Palace in Burton between 2010 and 2013, according to a news release from the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Lapeer High School softball coach Mallory Jackson, Tamara Miller and Gerald Miller all pled not guilty in 67th District Court to crimes related to millionaire party charity events, according to the release. Jackson and the Millers are related.

Lapeer West Softball was an independent organization not affiliated with the schools that qualified for millionaire party event licenses.

In a related case, Lapeer Community Schools teacher Matthew Nowak, 38 of Attica, pled guilty Feb. 11 to two charitable gaming violations in 67th District Court.

"It's very disappointing when people in youth leadership roles are accused of illegal activities and diverting money associated with charitable fundraising," said Richard Kalm, executive director, Michigan Gaming Control Board in a statement. "Our neighbors support fundraising events because they expect their money to go to charity and not to be misled about how their money is spent.

"We will continue to enforce Michigan laws to protect the public and charities from unscrupulous and illegal behavior by persons involved in charitable gaming," Kalm said.

Here is a list of the charges:

Mallory Jackson, 28 of Davison:

• One count of embezzling more than $200 but less than $1,000 from a non-profit or charitable organization, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
• One count of diverting a portion of net millionaire party event proceeds to a purpose other than the charity's lawful purpose. This is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
• Two counts of aiding and abetting by sending a portion of net millionaire party proceeds to individuals for a purpose other than a charity's lawful purpose. Each count is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine.
• One count of conspiracy with other individuals to aid and abet. This is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine.
• Jackson was arraigned on Jan. 27 and was released on $15,000 personal bond.
• A probable cause conference is scheduled for Feb. 25 in Judge Jennifer Manley's courtroom.

Tamara Miller, 48 of Lapeer, (former treasurer of Lapeer West softball):

• Four counts of diverting a portion of millionaire party event net proceeds, which are misdemeanors punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
• Tamara was arraigned on Feb. 11 and was released on $20,000 personal bond.
• A pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 10 in 67th District Court.

Gerald Miller, 49 of Lapeer, (former vice president of Lapeer West softball):

• Two counts of diverting a portion of millionaire party event net proceeds, which are misdemeanors punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
• Gerald was arraigned Feb. 11 and was on $10,000 personal bond.
• A pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 10 in 67th District Court.

Matthew Nowak, 38 of Attica, (biology and life sciences teacher at Lapeer's Zemmer Middle School and a wrestling coach at Lapeer High School), pled guilty and paid $1,450 in fines and court costs:

• Illegal distribution of a portion of millionaire party charitable proceeds to Lapeer West Softball Club and Renegades Baseball Team/Michael McCollum, 51 of Burton.
• Aiding or abetting an unqualified person who did not belong to the Lapeer Wrestling Club to manage the organization's millionaire party at Gloria's Poker Palace in October 2012.

Jackson allegedly embezzled money from the Lapeer West Softball Club between September 2012 and October 2013 while she was the club's president, according to the release. Investigators allege Jackson gave a portion of the money raised at Lapeer West Softball Club millionaire party events to McCollum, which violates state law.

McCollum was arraigned recently in 67th District Court on multiple felony charges of larceny by false pretenses and a felony embezzlement charge related to charity poker events at Gloria's Poker Palace in Burton between 2010 and 2013, according to the release.

During the time Tamara served as treasurer for the Lapeer West Softball Club between October 2010 and July 2011, she allegedly diverted money raised on the club's behalf to Addix -- a custom sports apparel provider -- Oxford  Wrestling and Michigan USA Wrestling, which violates state law, according to the release.

Gerald allegedly diverted money raised on behalf of the Lapeer West Softball club to the Renegades Baseball Team and/or McCollum and Lapeer West Wrestling Club's chairperson, during the time period that he served as its vice presidents between December 2010 and March 2011, violating state law, according to the release.

Gloria's Poker Palace, along with Flint-area poker rooms Pocket Aces and Lucky's were among several Michigan locations where charitable gaming was discontinued.

Since 2014, six people associated with Gloria's, Pocket Aces and Lucky's have pled guilty to gaming crimes following investigations by the Michigan Attorney General's Office and the MGCB, according to the release.

Investigations into charitable gaming activities are ongoing