Attorney General Jim Petro Awards Money To The University Of Cincinnati And Hamilton County Head Start

COLUMBUS - Attorney General Jim Petro today awarded checks of $60,000 each, from funds seized by the Hamilton County Sheriff, to Hamilton County Head Start and the University of Cincinnati. 

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At the request of Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis, the attorney general is distributing these funds as part of a settlement involving the distribution of more than $128,000 seized during a raid on illegal gambling activities involving two Hamilton County day-care facilities. Head Start will use the money to supplement its operational expenses for early childhood education programs. The University of Cincinnati will use the money to fund scholarships to students majoring in early childhood development.  

“I am pleased to provide these organizations with these funds,” Petro said.  “This money will now be used in the manner for which it was originally intended: helping children.”

“UC’s teacher education program is nationally recognized for meeting the high standards of preparing tomorrow’s teachers,” says Lawrence J. Johnson, dean of the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. “As part of UC’s commitment to its students and to our community, today’s award will support scholarships for our students who are currently working in community-based child care centers or who are family care providers. We also see this as a start, and will work to find other funds that support those working with our most precious resource – our children.”

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s investigation involved charitable fundraising events for the Roark Learning Center, now called Cincinnati Early Learning Centers, and Center Concepts Awards, both Hamilton County day-care facilities.  Through the investigation, the sheriff’s office discovered that between 1997 and 2002, several individuals were illegally being paid to work charitable bingo games and diverted funds generated from the games for their own endeavors.   Illegal slot machines were also being operated in the bingo halls.  The bingo licenses for the organizations were revoked by the Attorney General.

Petro’s office also provided assistance with the investigation through forensic accounting services.

At the request of the Hamilton County Sheriff, Petro’s office is distributing the money to organizations whose work involves supporting the teaching of young children.  The money generated from the bingo games was intended for a similar objective.