Two admit skimming from charity bingo

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - A couple has pleaded guilty to charges in what authorities say was the skimming of about $1 million from charity bingo games at an American Legion post near Fort Wayne.

A plea agreement entered in court Wednesday calls for 55-year-old Lana Brooks to get two years of probation. The Journal Gazette reports ( http://bit.ly/IpBcX2 ) she must pay $40,000 to Legion Post 330 in New Haven before her June 18 sentencing on corrupt business influence charges.

Her 62-year-old husband Kenneth Brooks pleaded guilty to unlawful charity gambling and will get probation.

Authorities say Lana Brooks helped run the bingo games in which at least $988,000 was illegally paid to workers who were supposed to be volunteers.

Two others have pleaded guilty to similar charges and charges against another man remain pending.