A financial scandal has rocked the state’s largest American Legion post in Bristol.
Police are investigating the alleged theft of more than $25,000 from the Seicheprey Post #2, where David Page was recently removed as finance director.
“It’s really a stab in the heart,” Mayor Art Ward said Tuesday.
Page, a 61-year-old Martin Road resident, said police have been probing the case “for a long time,” but he otherwise insisted he “can’t say anything” on the advice of his attorney.
The commander of the 728-member Legion post on Hooker Court, Jay Meisinger, said that officials of the veterans group discovered “some discrepancies” in the books.
They amounted to at least $25,000, according to several sources.
Meisinger said that Page served as the post’s finance director until November, when he was stripped of the position. An investigation began about the same time, he said.
Lt. Edward Spyros said Tuesday that police are actively probing a theft at the American Legion reported to them in early March.
“Unfortunately I cannot give any more information as it may jeopardize the investigation. I cannot release the name of the suspect,” Spyros added.
Meisinger said he couldn’t talk about the details until an arrest is made, which he expects soon.
“It’s in the police and court’s hands,” Meisinger said.
“It’s terrible. It really is,” said Ward, who has been active in the Legion since his return from service as a U.S. Marine in the jungles of Vietnam. He is a past commander of the Seicheprey post, named for a World War I battle in France that claimed eight Bristol natives.
Page serves as the chairman of the Boys Scouts Committee for the Connecticut Department of the American Legion, a 3-million member veterans organization formed in 1919 by soldiers returning from World War I.
He was actively involved in the Sea Scouts through the Bristol post.
Bristol has more veterans among its residents than any other city in Connecticut, with over 5,000 out of a city population of a little more than 60,000.
Police are investigating the alleged theft of more than $25,000 from the Seicheprey Post #2, where David Page was recently removed as finance director.
“It’s really a stab in the heart,” Mayor Art Ward said Tuesday.
Page, a 61-year-old Martin Road resident, said police have been probing the case “for a long time,” but he otherwise insisted he “can’t say anything” on the advice of his attorney.
The commander of the 728-member Legion post on Hooker Court, Jay Meisinger, said that officials of the veterans group discovered “some discrepancies” in the books.
They amounted to at least $25,000, according to several sources.
Meisinger said that Page served as the post’s finance director until November, when he was stripped of the position. An investigation began about the same time, he said.
Lt. Edward Spyros said Tuesday that police are actively probing a theft at the American Legion reported to them in early March.
“Unfortunately I cannot give any more information as it may jeopardize the investigation. I cannot release the name of the suspect,” Spyros added.
Meisinger said he couldn’t talk about the details until an arrest is made, which he expects soon.
“It’s in the police and court’s hands,” Meisinger said.
“It’s terrible. It really is,” said Ward, who has been active in the Legion since his return from service as a U.S. Marine in the jungles of Vietnam. He is a past commander of the Seicheprey post, named for a World War I battle in France that claimed eight Bristol natives.
Page serves as the chairman of the Boys Scouts Committee for the Connecticut Department of the American Legion, a 3-million member veterans organization formed in 1919 by soldiers returning from World War I.
He was actively involved in the Sea Scouts through the Bristol post.
Bristol has more veterans among its residents than any other city in Connecticut, with over 5,000 out of a city population of a little more than 60,000.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
35 comments:
This guy is a real gem, stealing from the veterans organization after all they have done for him. I hope this man rots in hell.
Interesting... but this is also proof that the center of the universe according to Steve Collins and his connection at city hall Mayor Ward, is the American Legion.
Nothing against the American Legion, but I can't stand to walk in there most times. Too damn many smokers! That cigarette haze makes me feel like I'm back in small town Virginia 30 years ago.
All the DAV's and American Legion's should be shut down.
What good are they? They exist only to provide a place to drink and smoke all day and night. Everyone knows they are are second homes for alcoholics, drug dealers and other criminals. These places breed illegal activities and everyone looks the other way because they're "veterans."
Shut 'em down!
Out of 728 members Steve - you ask Ward? How about the other members getting their comments or is that to much to ask?
Craig
I called at least 15 veterans yesterday. Most weren't home. A couple didn't want to talk about it. A couple of others didn't know anything, or so they said.
Maybe Miesinger shoulda spent more time watching the henhouse than filing stupid FOI claimes.
hopefully bristol's finest (?) don't take as long to arrest this David Page clown as they are taking to arrest Robert D. Park of 132 George St.who we all know killed poor henry waye.
-billy from bristol
9:05, Wow! Guess it's hard to see the truth with your head lodged so far up your colon like that.
What good are they??? The Legion is so much more than a place to "drink and smoke all day and night." They do a lot for our community...they volunteer, provide scholarships, do fund raisers and benefits, etc., etc...and while it may be like a second home for some vets (many are elderly, widowed and alone), the Legion is a place to meet with friends and socialize, it's definitely NOT a "breeding ground for illegal activities"...and exactly when is the last time you recall anyone "looking they other way" because someone was a vet?
It's obvious that you're speaking from where your head is so tightly stuck...so why don't you just shut 'em up!
How sad. This guy is a scout leader??? What a shame!!!
to 9:05 a.m. -
the american legion, sons of the legion, and legion auxiliary do a tremendous amount of good, and the people who are actively involved in these organizations on the post, district and department levels in connecticut work hard to benefit their respective communities through volunteerism, charity, education and outreach. i am a proud member of the american legion auxiliary post 33 (plainville), i am not a barfly, and i am proud to say that our post has sent a number of high school kids to the legion and legion auxiliary's boys' and girls' states educational programs, have sponsored needy families during the holidays so that they have food on their tables and gifts for kids under the trees, have sent care packages to numerous CT troops overseas and have given back in other, countless ways, including community clean up and beautification... you name it.
on an even more personal note, when i was a junior in high school, the bristol american legion auxiliary paid my tuition to attend the girls' state program. this was a huge honor, meant a lot when i was applying to college, and taught me a great deal about civics and community.
so, in conclusion, you clearly have no idea what and who you are talking about.
"Maybe Miesinger shoulda spent more time watching the henhouse than filing stupid FOI claimes."
__________________________
The stealing at the "henhouse" had been going on for years (before Mr. Miesinger's watch)...Mr. Miesinger is one of the people who finally caught the thief. Maybe YOU shoulda spent more time finding out what you're talking about before you write stupid comments on the blog!
Headline should read" Cash snatched from Bristol veterans by veteran".
While I am very disappointed with the finding of a 25K discrepancy in the books at the Legion,I am equally concerned that this is being "tried" on the pages of our local newspaper.
3:07, That's kinda what makes this such a slap in the face.
It's not being tried at all, Tim,merely reported.
Howlong has Messenger been minding the henhouse?
Big case for the police dept. this guy will die of old age before it gets solved.
TO TIM CANT KEEP NEWS AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC LIKE THE POLITIANS DO TO THE TAX PAYERS.
6:08 - and can't stop stupidity from being openly displayed as long as it is being ill-written by morons such as you - keep going though because you make everyone else look like mensa candidates.
Steve Collins said...
Too damn many smokers!
April 22, 2009 8:51 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I knew stephen didn't agree with the U.S. Constitution and what so many veterans sacrificed so much for .
And yet ... he "loves " the military .
Actions / inactions speak clearly to us .
6:08PM The last time I looked,our judicial system is designed to determine an individuals guilt or innocence in a court of law and NOT in the paper.I don't have any problem with the incident being reported.I DO however,have some concerns with Mr.Pages' photo on the front page and some less than subtle hints as to his guilt,all BEFORE he has had his day in court.Report the discrepancy,report the removal from office,but don't connect the two in such a way to imply guilt.A reminder,our entire judicial system is based on the tenet "innocent until PROVEN guilty."How would you feel if your photo appeared along with a piece worded in such a way as to imply possible guilt BEFORE you had YOUR day in court?I'm reasonably certain you wouldn't be very happy.
Steve, blame that on our legislators who banned smoking from all public places but allowed for it to be legal in non-profits such as the casinos and clubs - makes no "cents" to me.
Tim, it is YOUR organization that was wronged, it was YOUR money and efforts that were compromised: I would think that that might upset you, but obviously it hasn't.
And, as a Legion member, I know and you should too, that Legion members fingered the individual in question. Why aren't you questioning that?
I find it hard to believe it's necessary for me to clarify my post,but I'll try AGAIN.As I clearly stated,I AM very upset at hearing there is a discrepancy with the books to the tune of 25K.I am neither condoning nor defending any one individual.Once it has been PROVEN who the guilty party is,I would hope they "hang" this person from the proverbial "highest tree they can find."My point is simply that neither myself nor anyone else,to include the paper,have a right to circumvent our judicial system.Once AGAIN,guilt or innocence is determined in a COURT of LAW and NOT by public opinion.
Tim=Anonymous
You are weasling!!!!
3:49 I THOUGHT I had signed my name as usual.
Tim:
What role do you play in the Legion Organization?
Don't they have anyone look at the books?
I have been told that his isn't the first time that there have been questions.
If everybody stopped focusing on politics ,smoke and who's watching the hen house and looked at the positive things. Like our American
Legion baseball team,and where the funding for uniforms ,banquet etc. comes from and their accomplishments.
I believe 11:08AM said it all.The American Legion has a great deal of which to feel proud.Their services to Veterans and the community should be our focus.I can say I am still proud to be a member of American Legion Post#2.
No oversight, no accountabilty.
A One Man Show???
Who else might be responsible?
There is no doubt that the Legion does good thngs.
The question is, how much more could they have done through the years if ALL the money was accounted for?
Was there no oversight?
Doesn't the Commander bear some responsibility?
Because its run by the "good ole boys"
And the "good ole boys" are part of wards inner circle.
Yes that is true - Ward's inner circle is the "good old boys."
Afer 5 beers Ward is gone anyway.
Post a Comment