Numerous irons in the fire

The Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper is compiling a full timeline of events that give an overview of the demise of the Brooten Commercial Club. A pattern of neglect and mismanagement begins around 2012 and 2013, according to information released by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. This pattern revolves around the work - or lack of work - by the commercial club's former licensed gambling manager, Michelle Halls. Halls was gambling manager and overseer of the organization's charitable gambling checkbook and administrator of legally-required reporting to the state and federal government.

In related news, a forensic analysis comparing records of the Sedan Fire Relief Association and the Brooten Commercial Club will reveal an approximate amount of missing funds - all cash - that was never returned to Sedan from many years' worth of meat raffle fundraisers (2012 to 2018). Last spring of 2019, the Sedan Fire Relief Association, with assistance from Rooney's Bar in Sedan, came up with an approximate amount of missing funds. This was reported in the April 25, 2019 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper.

Also, the BCC has a current and growing tax and penalties bill with the state and the IRS totaling $100,289.38 as of January 14, 2020.