Wrestling Rhinos, a Lynnwood-based youth wrestling club, must refund all donations to all contributors who request their money back.
The club raised more than $25,000 in 2004 without registering with the Secretary of State as a charitable organization, a violation of state law, according to documents from the state Attorney General’s Office
The club also may have used money it raised for purposes other than club wrestling tournaments, which was the stated use in the solicitations.
Refunds must be issued to anyone who makes a request in writing to the Rhinos at 20027 23rd Ave. W. Lynnwood, WA 98036. People wanting their money back need a receipt or other proof that a donation was made.
The Attorney General’s Office issued an order March 9 requiring the club to stop soliciting funds without being registered with the state as a charitable organization and stop using donations for anything other than the sole purpose stated in solicitations.
The club also must pay the state $1,000 in costs and attorney’s fees for pursuing the matter. The costs and fees will be paid out of club accounts, said Chad Requa, the club’s current president and head coach.
The order, prompted by three complaints made to the Attorney General’s Office by former board members and alternate board members of the club, does not imply any wrongdoing occurred.
“It doesn’t say that they did it, it just says they agree not to,” said Shannon Smith, a lawyer for the Attorney General’s Office.
The club currently has an exempt status with the state, which means it can raise no more than $25,000 annually.
Requa said the only fundraising the club does now is through tournaments it runs. The next tournament is May 19 at Jackson High School.
“The person who turned us in was the former club president who was responsible for the fundraising,” Requa said. “The fundraising activities were simply board members going to businesses which were promised nothing in return but names on tournament shirts.”
Requa was referring to Kirk Calkins, who became president in September 2005, and was voted off the board in April 2006.
According to state douments, after the vote, Requa sent Calkins and his wife Jean, who was also voted out, an e-mail that said, “Kirk and Jean, you’re out. I’m done with you both. … The votes are in. They have been for awhile. I’ve just been waiting for the right time.”
Calkins said that Requa had inappropriately used club money to pay for his own hotel and other expenses at a tournament in Battle Ground, Wash., and to put on a Dream Duals meet at Jackson High School for top high school wrestlers who were not members of the club.
Requa said the board approved those expenditures.
“Votes were being taken to make decisions,” he said. “That’s the way we do it.”
The Rhinos club was formed 30 years ago, according to its Web site. Requa, an assistant wrestling coach at Edmonds-Woodway High School, began wrestling in the club 25 years ago and has coached for the past nine years. The Rhinos use the Edmonds-Woodway gym to practice.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
