After an investigation by agents at the Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC), Vancouver resident Rene Cavenaile has been charged by Clark County Prosecutors with Theft in the First Degree, Theft in the Second Degree-Access Device, Theft in the Second Degree, Forgery, and Violations relating to fraud, deceit, altering or misrepresenting, betting, or gambling.
Cavenaile was employed as the American Legion Post 176 manager for over two years During this time she is suspected of taking approximately $153,590 from the American Legion Post 176, located in Vancouver WA.
In December 2023, WSGC agents conducted a routine compliance investigation at Post 176, discovering several transfers from the pull-tab account to other accounts. Agents later discovered that they were purposely misled by Cavenaile into believing one of her personal accounts was a Post 176 membership account.
In January 2024, after obtaining a Clark County Superior Court search warrant, agents examined Cavenaile’s personal bank accounts, where multiple internet banking payments directed from the Post 176’s kitchen, bingo and pull-tab accounts.
Overall, from April 2022 to December 2023, Cavenaile is accused of making 136 unauthorized mobile banking transfer withdrawals to her personal bank accounts.
Cavenaile is also accused of making untrue and misleading entries into nine Post 176 accounts by labeling withdrawals as “total expense.” Cavenaile is also suspected of making 53 unapproved personal purchases from the Post 176 credit card.