Oregon Charity Founder Indicted for Alleged Gambling-Motivated Theft

By jili tutorial · September 5, 2026

Oregon Charity Founder Indicted for Allegedly Stealing Donations to Fund Gambling

Charity Founder Accused of Misappropriating Relief Funds

A Lincoln County grand jury has indicted Marcus Brooks, the founder of the now-defunct Cascade Relief Team, on charges that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from the nonprofit to fuel his gambling habit. The charity was originally created to help people in disaster-stricken areas, but prosecutors say Brooks used the money for personal entertainment, including casino trips, vehicle purchases, and vacations.

How the Charity Was Supposed to Help—and Where the Money Went

In 2021, Brooks’s Cascade Relief Team pledged to assist tornado victims in Kentucky after severe storms destroyed thousands of homes and killed dozens of people. The American Red Cross granted the charity $326,000 to build shelters in the affected region. Additionally, the Oregon State Fire Marshal provided $100,000 in 2020 to help with wildfire cleanup efforts.

According to the indictment, however, Brooks did not use these funds for their intended purposes. Instead, he allegedly spent the Red Cross money on personal expenses, including frequent trips to casinos. He is also accused of buying vehicles, funding a Disneyland trip, and visiting strip clubs with the charity’s money.

Employees Blew the Whistle on Alleged Scheme

The alleged misuse of funds came to light after Brooks fired several employees, who then alerted the Oregon Department of Justice about the suspicious spending. Investigators built a case that led to Brooks being charged with two counts of aggravated theft in the first degree.

If convicted, Brooks faces up to 10 years in prison, restitution, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Oregon Attorney General Condemns the Betrayal of Trust

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield strongly criticized Brooks’s actions, stating that the founder “preyed on people at the worst moment of their lives” and “gambled away the money meant to rebuild people’s homes.” Rayfield emphasized, however, that Brooks remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

In a separate Oregon case, a man who robbed the Wildhorse Resort and Casino at gunpoint while threatening to “bathe everyone in blood” was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and robbery.