Post by Josh on Jul 14, 2005 3:25:06 GMT -5
On Monday, more than 100 agents from the USDA, FBI, the IRS, and state and local law enforcement authorities raided the Del Rio Game Club in Tennessee, one of the nation's largest illegal cockfighting pits. According to reports, the raid netted 143 arrests, $40,000 in cash, and hundreds of seized fighting birds. U.S. authorities have filed papers in federal court to see that Del Rio and the 440 Pit (another cockfighting ring), are forfeited to the United States.
Suprisingly enough (or not), the Del Rio pit is reportedly owned by Don and Donna Poteat. Don is the former president and Donna is the current secretary of the United Gamefowl Breeders Association. Interestingly, the UGBA is a tax-exempt organization even though cockfighting is a crime in 48 states. In a letter sent to the IRS yesterday, HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle asked the IRS to revoke the UGBA's tax-free status because its leaders are so deeply involved in promoting illegal activities.
For more information on this interesting story, copy and paste the following address into our browser window.
www.hsus.org/about_us/about_hsus_programs_and_services/eye_on_the_opposition/ugba_why_does_this_cockfighting_lobby_deserve_a_tax_break/
Suprisingly enough (or not), the Del Rio pit is reportedly owned by Don and Donna Poteat. Don is the former president and Donna is the current secretary of the United Gamefowl Breeders Association. Interestingly, the UGBA is a tax-exempt organization even though cockfighting is a crime in 48 states. In a letter sent to the IRS yesterday, HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle asked the IRS to revoke the UGBA's tax-free status because its leaders are so deeply involved in promoting illegal activities.
For more information on this interesting story, copy and paste the following address into our browser window.
www.hsus.org/about_us/about_hsus_programs_and_services/eye_on_the_opposition/ugba_why_does_this_cockfighting_lobby_deserve_a_tax_break/