Poker Tournament Postponed Over Legal Concerns

The poker tournament that local unions planned as a benefit for is canceled because Mentor Police have concerns that it is not legal.

The at the Bricklayer Local 16 headquarters in Mentor. The United Way said the tournament is postponed but did not give a new date for it.

Mentor Police Capt. Kevin Knight said the tournament did not meet the legal standards for a charitable gambling event in Ohio.

First, charitable gambling events must be held by a charity for that charity, Knight said. The proposed tournament was organized by local unions, which are not a charity, and not the local chapter of the United Way.

Also, charitable gambling can only occur as part of a larger festival. A poker tournament does not qualify as a festival, Knight said.

The captain added that the union officials had good intentions.

"No one's against raising money for the United Way," Knight said. "They just can't do it with a gambling event."

Deborah Foley, the president of the United Way of Lake County, said she appreciated the unions' intentions and support.

"We are very grateful for the support of our union friends, and we know their hearts are in the right place because the much-needed dollars raised would be put toward the needs of the community.

"This tournament has been postposed, but we are looking forward to working with the city of Mentor and local unions in the future," Foley said in a statement.

Todd Alishusky, of Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, said the unions would continue to support United Way of Lake County.

"Right now, many people are suffering in Lake County, and we wanted to help by putting on this special event. Of course, both the unions and United Way of Lake County want to follow the letter of the law," Alishusky said.

"Unions are dedicated to helping people in our commuity. We believe that supporting United Way is one of the best ways to show we care, and we will continue that support."