Queens Bowling League Treasurer Gambled Stolen Club Dues, DA Says

QUEENS – A former treasurer for a Queens bowling league was indicted on grand larceny charges after allegedly stealing dues and prize money from members of the league, the Queens District Attorney's office said Wednesday.

Vickers was the treasurer of the “Ted Guy Memorial” League that bowls at JIB Lanes in Flushing, said the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

A grand jury indicted Robert Vickers, 59, after he supposedly used league funds to gamble funds at casinos in New York and Atlantic City and make costly purchases, Katz said.

Vickers could spend up to 4 years in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors. He was also indicted on criminal possession of stolen property, scheme to defraud, and petit larceny charges, the district attorney’s office said.

Vickers was in charge of collecting dues from the 120-member league for a prize fund and bowling expenses, which were supposed to be deposited into a bank account in the League’s name, prosecutors said.

After the pandemic broke out, the team league decided to pay out the prize money and return dues that had been paid in advance of the unplayed games, the Queens district attorney said.

Team captains claimed Vickers failed to pay out the team members, while he claimed his account was frozen and it was later found that he used the money for gambling and personal expenses, prosecutors said.

Vickers was arrested on Tuesday in his home in Manhattan, Katz said.