Robert J. Ford and William J. Tway, two long-time operators of Big Bucks Bingo in Garden City, Idaho, were recently charged by U.S. Department of Justice with tax evasion and conspiracy for allegedly overstating the percentage of bingo revenues that they allocated to charity.

Although the state constitution permits gaming operators to offer bingo and raffle games, they are required to allocate 20% of their yearly gross revenues from the games to a charity or non-profit organization. Investigators found out that, although in 1999, Big Bucks Bingo reported contributions of $159,988, and in 2000, $57,000, the amount actually transferred to charity was much smaller.

Both Tway and Ford may spend as many as three years in jail for the tax fraud charge, and an additional five years for conspiracy. Tway is a former attorney, who, in 1995, lost his license to practice law for misspending his client's money.