Charlotte County Sheriff's Economic Crimes Unit detectives arrested a senior trustee of American Legion Post No. 103, 2101 Taylor Road, Punta Gorda, for grand theft and scheming to defraud.
Richard Blaisdell Purington, 65, 23250 Harper Ave., Port Charlotte, was responsible for an "Ad-Tb" game, a form of instant Bingo. Purington handled all records and was reportedly the only person with keys to the machines.
Post Board members hired a local accounting firm to audit of the Ad-Tab books, which indicated $7,968 was missing from Sept. 20, 2011, to Jan. 15.The game boxes generated $7,992 for the Post, which used it to fund charity events.
Article Photos
Richard Blaisdell Purington
Purington posted a $5,000 bond and was released.
