All,
There have been comments made by others on other websites that the VCA's current 2016 Viper ACR raffle is illegal, so I asked our raffle attorney for a response to put this rumor to bed once and for all. Here is his response to my question: (which is also included in another post)
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"The raffle is legal and has been for the past 15 years when it's been conducted by your organization.
Chrysler participated with in the origination of the first raffle which I set up. The winning ticket was drawn at Chrysler headquarters. Chrysler provided it's public relations firm, JRT, to conduct the raffle, handle taxes, reports and compliance with federal and Michigan regulations. I advised JRT and worked closely with them to make certain that the raffle was conducted properly and in compliance with the rules of the Michigan charitable gaming commission.
There was never any question from The Chrysler legal staff, the state of Michigan nor your members concerning legality of the raffle.
I've been conducting nonprofit Michigan raffles nationwide for the last 25 years. This is an area of my expertise. I have a position paper on the subject but you should not be attempting to meet the complaints of people outside your organization. The raffle is none of its business.
The raffle VOA conducted was probably illegal but ours is not.
It is licensed in Michigan, the raffle is conducted in Michigan, we file reports and audits with Michigan and our records are audited and the drawings are often attended by a state inspector.
You are in compliance with federal law and US postal service regulations. Article 4, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution requires every state give full faith and credit to contracts and laws of another state. It is a constitutional right.
If any member of your organization wants clarification I can provide a position paper on the subject. As far as strangers to VCA, what you do is none of their business.
Whenever I hear someone say I've talked with the lawyer and he has said so-and-so, I view that is code for their actually making it up to support a position that has not been vetted by a lawyer.
On another subject you will have received, or perhaps have received, a letter from charitable gaming concerning the inspection of our last raffle. It is not a report but merely a receipt. You do not have to sign it not send it back in. I talked with the inspector today and she confirmed this."
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Dan
