Nation's Oldest Bowling League Recouping After $47K Theft
The league's treasurer, Luther Henry Collins, has been charged with stealing money from the 115-year-old Drug Trade League at Brunswick Perry Hall Lanes.
Joe Barnhart inherited a serious problem when he became president of the United States' oldest bowling league last month.
It was the end of the Drug Trade League's 114th season at Brunswick Perry Hall Lanes. The winning teams' cash payout was scheduled for May 16, but the league's treasurer, 61-year-old Luther Henry Collins of Perry Hall, failed to show up to deliver about $47,000 in prize money.
Weeks later, following a missing persons report, a league meeting, an ultimatum and an ongoing police investigation—reported exclusively on Patch—police arrested Collins on June 6 and charged him with theft between $10,000 and $100,000.
Collins has told police that while he was away in Delaware for a weekend trip, the money vanished from his house during a party held by a relative.
"We've taken steps to try to give him all opportunities to pay the money back," said Barnhart, a friend of Collins for the past 20 years. "We really don't know how the money was used—maybe that will come out in the police investigation."
The investigation also involves officials from the United States Bowling Congress, as well as its local chapter, the Greater Baltimore USBC Bowling Association.
Barnhart said he expects the USBC to ban Collins from ever playing in a bowling league again.
Perry Hall Lanes management are also trying to determine how several thousand dollars could have vanished from the historic league.
"We're looking more into it more," said Sam Ashton, general manager of Perry Hall Lanes, "but the leagues, they are a separate entity, the leagues rent the space."
Ashton said he was unable to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
A total of 120 bowlers belong to the league, Barnhart said. By the end of a season, top scorers can earn anywhere from $1,200 to $300.
Matthew Jackson, a former league member and longtime friend of Collins, said the prize money is a major incentive for bowlers.
"They look forward to it," Jackson said. "People are upset, for sure. Some people are angry. Some people are trying to give [Collins] the benefit of the doubt."
Insurance through the USBC may cover half of the losses, Barnhart said, but an exact amount may not be determined for weeks.
He added that he expects the league to recover by next season.
"There is a waiting list of guys trying to get on this league," he said. "It's a fun league. Everyone gets along. Everyone has a good time."
chickpea
3:56 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011
Am I the only person who has no idea what "Drug Trade" League means?
Anon
4:41 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011
It is only a name of a bowling league - nothing more to it... The main thing is that this is one of the longest / oldest bowling leagues in the States.
Andy Brawn
4:52 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011
My son is in that league. I was talking to some of the men, there was a problem with the money last year, same guy.
Emily Kimball
5:08 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011
Check out this article titled "Wholesale Drug Trade Bowling Association" from 1896. It may offer some insight:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Zr7mAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA654&lpg=PA654&dq=drug+trade+bowling+1896&source=bl&ots=xNZ-fjEuyk&sig=kcBt1Yx7tcxJrRNtFfiqsLCkyuY&hl=en&ei=9obyTafKLoKXtweqxNWUBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=drug%20trade%20bowling%201896&f=false
Shirley L. Snyder
10:32 am on Saturday, June 11, 2011
I was Secretary/Treasurer of this bowling league for over 40 years when Luke Collins was elected to replace me. I'm certainly not surprised by his actions. My question is this: where was the league president while all of this happened? As a part of a league sanctioning process, the league president must receive a monthly bank statement to verify that the prize money is really in the bank. That would not however, preclude one from absconding with all of the prize money on the last night of bowling. By way of information, the Drug Trade of Baltimore TenPin Bowling League was founded in 1896 by several drug manufacturers in Baltimore. In order to bowl in the league, one had to be employed by one of the drug manufacturers. As these manufacturers left the city the league opened up to anyone interested in bowling. There were similar leagues in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia.
Don Snyder
Daniel Kalendek
12:57 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2011
In most of the leagues I was involved in, the league would bank all their money every week, and usually it would take both the President and Treasurer to get the money out. Now, why Luke had total access to the money is beyond me, sounds like the league gave too much trust to Luke. I did not know Luke too well, I had bowled in a Sunday league with him in the 80's, and our Thursday Night Mixed league had his wife, Annmarie, as its secretary one year. The last I had seen him was in a stage Thursday Night Bowling League.
Doug Sass
9:47 pm on Thursday, August 11, 2011
Unfortunately, the "auditing" that Don Snyder refers to is so often not done by leagues. Granted, in 99% of the leagues you bowl in, this doesn't happen. But as this league learned, it can, and due to the lack of proper procedures, it sounds like the USBC (the sanctioning body that bowlers pay $20 a year to be protected by) is not going to be honoring the entirety of the shortfall. Most leagues require that you be paid up within 2 weeks of monies due in order to bowl that week. However, Secretaries and Presidents often look the other way, while bowlers participate in side pots, ignoring paying fees for league. Those who step up and say something are often frowned upon, though they are the people who are ultimately protecting the interests of the entire league by demanding the rules be followed. I bowled in the Drug Trade when Mr. Snyder was in charge, and I do not recall this being an issue during my time in the league under his guidance. (Those who can factually state otherwise feel free, I can only speak for me.)
It is true as Daniel Kalendek mentioned that it is supposed to take at a minimum of 2 signatures to withdraw such money. But as Don Snyder pointed out, there was no auditing of the monthly statement by the President, nor auditing weekly or bi-weekly. Hopefully the lessons learned here will make winter leagues better in all centers, as this is not Perry Hall-Specific. All centers deal with this, and I will say Perry Hall has many good leagues, too.