DETECTIVES have launched an investigation into claims that thousands of pounds have gone missing in a York club's lottery scratchcard game, the Evening Press can reveal today.
Police confirmed that Fulfordgate Working Men's Club (WMC), in Heslington Lane, Fulford, was being probed following a complaint from several committee members about the losses
Accountant David Robinson, who has a practice in Fulford, said he discovered more than £6,000 was unaccounted for following an audit of club funds.
He then informed members about the discrepancy at their annual general meeting and the matter was reported to the police.
Club secretary Stephen Howarth said the missing £6,000 related to discrepancies with the club's Lottery King ticket machine over the last five years. Members can buy scratchcard tickets from it for £1 to win cash prizes of up to £250.
The machine is installed and maintained by the operators, with the prize money handed out by the club.
"We were doing an internal investigation before the police got involved. Unfortunately the members took it out of the committee's hands," Mr Howarth said.
"We're determined to get to the bottom of it."
Mr Howarth said he helped Mr Robinson find information for his audit into the Lottery King machine's takings and expenditure.
Mr Robinson, who has passed on information to York detectives, told the Evening Press: "I came up with these discrepancies as part of our audit. I couldn't say too much at the AGM, but obviously it was a matter for the police."
A spokesman for York police said: "I can confirm that we're investigating allegations made by the committee at Fulfordgate Working Men's Club in relation to money missing from club funds."
A spokesman for the Club and Institute Union told the Evening Press: "This is an internal matter for the club."
In an Evening Press article on the York social club scene, Fulfordgate was given a "fair" rating. It was reported to have 541 members, with activities including pool, darts and dominoes.
Updated: 10:23 Saturday, April 26, 2003
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