WCA council member faces gambling charges

Authorities charged Lavina “Lovey” Brock, 68, of Wrangell with four counts of promoting illegal gambling.

A criminal complaint filed Feb. 5 in district court alleges that Brock held Texas Hold ‘em games for cash at American Legion Post #6, and promoted the games around town using flyers. The prosecuting agency is the Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals.

The complaint lists offense dates as Feb. 19, 2009, June 29, 2009, Dec. 20, 2010, and Feb. 10, 2010.

Brock is a prominent community member, and sits on the governing body of the Wrangell Cooperative Association.

The charges are listed as Promoting Gambling In the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by “imprisonment of not more than one year” on conviction, according to Alaska state statutes.

Investigators spoke with Brock and two local residents about the games, according to the complaint. Brock told investigators she had arranged the games and promoted them around town, according to the complaint.

Brock told investigators that local residents paid between $20 and $30 to play the games, and that first, second, and third-place finishers received cash prices, according to the complaint.

Investigators also examined the Legion’s records, and found deposits for games corresponding to the offense date, the complaint says.

Newly elected American Legion Post #6 commander Einar Haaseth declined to answer questions about the charges, and said an executive committee was looking into the issue.

The American Legion holds a gaming permit under Alaska statute permitting bingo, pull-tabs, and raffles both at the premises and in Wrangell in general. The most recent

permits were issued Jan.1, and were listed as current Tuesday on the Alaska Department of Revenue Tax Division Gaming group database.

The Legion Auxiliary also holds current permits.

Brock directed questions about the games to her attorney, Michael Nash.

Brock didn’t benefit financially from organizing the games, Nash said.

“It actually cost her money to organize the games,” he said. “Charities sponsored by the American Legion benefited from the games.”

Brock was motivated by a sincere desire to do good, and she inadvertently ran afoul of the law, Nash said.

“I think that Mrs. Brock’s intentions were always noble,” he said. “She always believed that she was within the law, and her heart has always been in the right place. She’s very

concerned for the welfare of veterans and the American Legion that serves them.”

Alaska’s Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals is listed in court documents as the prosecuting agency.

Calls and e-mails to Lisa Kelley, the Assistant Attorney General tasked with the case, went unreturned Tuesday.

An arraignment for the case is set for 10 a.m. March 3, according to Alaska State Court Records.