Today, April 7th, the Sub Umbra Floreo Lion's Club as reimbursement day-the day when everyone who bought tickets for their truck raffle last year, at one hundred dollars apiece, would supposedly get their money back.
But the morning was filled with empty ticket booths and disappointed ticket holders. However, things started heating up this afternoon after the embattled president arrived at the Civic Center, cash in hand. And while some were able to get their reimbursement, the process wasn't without tension, and tonight, the club's former board members are finally speaking out against their president.
Courtney Menzies has this story.
Those who wanted cash reimbursement were told to visit the Civic Center Ticket Booth starting at 10 in the morning.
But when they arrived they were met with empty ticket booths and no club members to provide any answers. And while they were disappointed, those we spoke to said they believe - or at least, they hope - they'll eventually get their money back.
Reporter
"Tell us why you're here today."
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"To get my reimbursement for this truck that was never raffled."
Reporter
"And how much tickets did you buy?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Only one."
Reporter
"Why did you decide to support the raffle?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Well I know a lot of people in the organization. I only buy from them and Rotary."
Reporter
"How do you feel about how it played out?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Well, they said Christmas and then they pushed it to March and I was like okay, they need to sell more tickets. But I guess now there's something unforeseen going on."
Reporter
"How do you feel now that there's no one here to give you your reimbursement?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"I think still we'll get back our reimbursement, just will take a while."
Reporter "Aren't you a little upset, angry, nothing like that?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Not really because it was for a worthy cause but they didn't do what they said they would do, so they need to give us back our money."
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Yes I received a message that today from 10 - 4:30 that they would be reimbursing our monies so I came."
Reporter
"How do you feel now that nobody is here?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Disappointed."
Reporter
"How many tickets did you buy?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"One. But at least they could have sent out another notice if they were unable to go through with the reimbursement today."
Reporter
"Tell me why you decided to support?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Well, it's to help those with cancer."
Reporter
"How do you feel about all that has been said about this raffle?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Well, I can't say because I don't really know much so I can't really comment on that."
Reporter
"Do you feel like you will ultimately get the refund?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Well I hope so, I can't let my money go down the drain so yes."
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"I'm just here for my refund."
Reporter
"Your refund?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Yes for this ticket, I want back my money."
Reporter
"How many tickets did you purchase?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Personally, 3."
Reporter
"And how many authorization letters do you have?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"I have on me 6. And I have 14 persons that also bought from me and they are also just waiting to hear what time reimbursement starts so that they can get back their money as well."
Reporter
"So how did you feel when you came here and nobody was here?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"This is my lunch time, this is ridiculous. You put up a post, long ahead of time, the club knew that they wanted to put today as the day to reimburse, you should have been ready. So this is very ridiculous."
Reporter
"How do you feel about how this entire thing has played out? Is it disappointing?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"It is disappointing, again all I can say is this is ridiculous and I want back my money. Just give me back my money that's it. No truck exists so give me back my money. I thought it was going to a good cause, apparently it's not, run back my funds."
Reporter
"So that's why you supported, because you wanted to support a good cause?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"Of course, who doesn't, childhood cancer? I didn't know a lot of kids in Belize had cancer like that and when I found out, $300 compared to what those parents are spending in treatment, that's nothing, so I wanted to be of assistance any way possible."
This last ticket holder came back this afternoon after she learnt that the president, Indira Mejia Anderson, made an appearance at the Civic Center. So it wasn't until around 2 in the afternoon that the reimbursements started.
But this time, Elizabeth Ranguy, a former board member, chose not to remain anonymous and said that while she got back her money, the entire process - including the delays and the heavy police presence - was unnecessary.
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"Like I said, I have no issues and this is not personal and I just wanted back my cash so I'm glad I got my cash, I know other people that bought are coming, I really just need this to be over with, this needs to be finished."
Reporter
"How do you feel about how this entire process played out?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"It didn't have to be like this, this is ridiculous. And I can't tell you now if everybody is going to get their money because persons that were here from God made morning."
Reporter
"You're just happy that..."
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"Yes, majority, a good amount."
Reporter
"Did you get all of yours?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"The rest, other persons they just said keep it, have them keep it."
Reporter
"They gave you any complications?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"I don't think she wanted to have any complications with me."
Reporter
"What's your opinion of the police presence that was on the ground?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"That was completely unnecessary."
And Ranguy took it a step further by explaining she was one of the original persons who noticed something was wrong with the raffle. And she risked her membership - and maybe her life - to come forward.
Reporter
"Do you think that going forward, Indira should remain the president?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"Oh hell no. lord forgive me, but no, she needs to come off of that. Like there's no way, there is absolutely no way. As a president, you shouldn't be intimidating your persons. I mean, you have created division among club members among other clubs in Belize."
"All of this is unnecessary, I don't care anymore, I just need her to leave me alone."
Reporter
"Leave you alone in what sense?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"There has been threats, there has been attempts to defame my character, all because we tried to bring this forward. I just need this to be done."
"When this came out, the initiative behind it would have been do great if it was actually fulfilled, the amount of families we would have been able to help would have been spectacular and it would have been the start to many more."
Reporter
"You were on the board when the initiative was launched?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"Yes I was on the board when the initiative was launched. A little bit after, I transitioned."
Reporter
"What's your status now?"
Elizabeth Ranguy, Ticket Holder
"Because we brought this forward, I was a part of the party that brought this forward, we got illegally kicked out because you can't do that to paying members, you can't kick out somebody for trying to seek the truth."
And while Ranguy had a smoother reimbursement process, another former board member wasn't so lucky. Here she is asking for her money back:
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"So can I please get back the refund for this and then I bought these 2 tickets and then these are for me and I am not leaving here until I get that $400."
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"I was a past board member on the Sub Umbra Floreo board. As I went to the window, the first thing the president told me is I was one of the ones who went to the media and so she was giving me attitude. So I told her do you have proof I went to the media? She said yes. I have the list of the names of the persons who purchased tickets from me and I would like to collect for them, especially for my siblings. She told me that my authorization letters are not valid, that I need a JP and that I can't collect money for anyone."
Reporter
"Did you resign from the board or were you kicked off?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"I resigned from the board and I was kicked out of the club because I came forward."
Reporter
"How much money are we looking at for you?"
Voice of: Ticket Holder
"$700."
"I am currently waiting on a JP to come and assist me however I am not leaving until I get back my money because now I think this is a personal attack against me, as I went to the window, she had an automatic attitude towards me."
Ultimately, she received most of her money back, after a JP got involved.
Club members say the total reimbursement will work out to over 50 thousand dollars.
Mejia-Anderson chose not to give an interview this afternoon, and our text messages to her asking for comments have gone unanswered. However, she has indicated that she plans to instruct her lawyer to issue letters to the media.
