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Buyer Confirms: Bosworth Non-Profit Sold Raffle Ticket, Didn’t Draw, Hasn’t Refunded

On Monday, Nathan Fluit (pronounced like "Floyd" but with a "t" on the end) posted a question on Annette Bosworth's Facebook page about the status of her Moody County land raffle. The Harrisburg man claimed he had purchased a $1,000 raffle ticket from Bosworth and was wondering where his money had gone.

Today, Fluit produces documents. First, here's the e-mail receipt he received from Bosworth's non-profit Preventive Health Strategies (I have edited out the credit card information and identity of a co-buyer):

From: preventivehealthstrategies@gmail.com
Subject: Land raffle receipt
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:58:54 -0500
To: nfluit@[...]

Nate and [...]

Thank you for your land raffle purchase. Your ticket number is 2509B. Feel free to make additional purchases to increase your chances of winning the land at https://heroes.meaningfulmedicine.org/ or calling us. We will notify you when the drawing will take place.

Thanks

Peggy Craig
PHS (Preventive Health Strategies)
preventivehealthstrategies@gmail.com
www.annettebosworth.com
phone (605) 368-1741

Begin forwarded message:

From: PREVENTIVE HEALTH STRATEGIES <support@roamdata.com>

Date: October 25, 2012 12:50:23 PM CDT
To: PREVENTIVEHEALTHSTRATEGIES@GMAIL.COM
Subject: Vantiv Receipt

PREVENTIVE HEALTH STRATEGIES
1401 W 51ST STREET
SIOUX FALLS, SD 57105
(605) 368-1741Payment Type: CREDIT
Card Type: [...]
Account Number: XXXXXXXXXXXX[...]
Transaction ID: 2023587
Auth Code: [...]
Receipt

10/25/2012 1:50:23 PM EST

Order Total:
1000.00

Billed to:

,

I AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE
CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT
Seller's Notes:
Nate fluit and [...]Buyer Phone:
Buyer Email:
Roam Data

Fluit says he and his co-purchaser bought this ticket after seeing this October 24, 2012 KDLT report by Breanna Fuss, which stated Bosworth's PHS had sold a half dozen tickets and had a goal of selling 500 by the end of the following month. Bosworth said the funds raised would be used to send members of the 114th Fighter Wing and their families on a fishing trip to Alaska, much like the one she took her purportedly impoverished family on in spring 2012, just a couple months after raising $500,000 with her first land raffle.

November 2012 passed with no drawing and no news. In February 2013, Fluit received this letter and this flyer from Preventive Health Strategies. PHS told Fluit many things:

  • The Department of Defense had ordered PHS to cease and desist their raffle. PHS said the order had something to do with rules against private groups raising funds for active duty soldiers.
  • PHS still planned to raffle the Moody County land as soon as PHS sold 500 tickets.
  • PHS said refund requests had to be submitted to their office by March 29, 2013.

Fluit says he called PHS and was told by a PHS staffer that the organization had sold 250 tickets. He decided not to ask for a refund at that time.

As reported here on the Madville Times, no drawing took place by the extended deadline of July 15, 2013. Fluit says he called PHS and asked for a refund last summer. The staffer who answered the phone told him PHS would issue his refund the next time they cut checks.

It's November, and Fluit still has received no refund. Fluit says his calls to PHS go unanswered. He says he has called the number for Meaningful Medicine, Bosworth's clinic, and even considered making an appointment just to get a chance to talk directly to Dr. Bosworth. However, he says that the clinic receptionist who spoke to him on the phone told him that she had handed a note to Dr. Bosworth with Fluit's name and number and told him the doctor would call him back. Fluit has still received no such call.

So let's review the facts:

  • Nathan Fluit and a co-buyer paid Annette Bosworth's non-profit $1,000 for a raffle ticket.
  • PHS told Fluit in February that about 250 other people had bought similar tickets.
  • Jennifer Warren of PHS partner FIRE Missions told me this summer that PHS had sold no raffle tickets.
  • PHS has not given any ticket holder the promised prize.
  • PHS said it would refund Fluit's money.
  • PHS has not refunded Fluit's money.

Clearly someone is not telling the truth. And if that someone is Annette Bosworth, then Annette Bosworth and her husband Chad Haber could be sitting on (or, more likely, have already spent) $250,000 that they gained under fraudulent circumstances.

It's time for answers, Annette and Chad. Where is Nathan Fluit's money? And who else is holding a raffle ticket for land you never gave away?

75 Comments

  1. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.13

    Has Mr. Fluit turned this matter over to any local, state, or federal law enforcement officials?

    It appears that a number of laws have broken, particularly if she turned over any of the money to her political campaign.

  2. joseph g thompson 2013.11.13

    Looks to me as though she is the most qualified candidate for the Senate or the House.

  3. chris 2013.11.13

    Everyone who bought a ticket should just start squatting on the land until the whole mess gets resolved.

  4. Mark 2013.11.13

    Sounds like Ben Dunsmore with KELOland news needs to do some investigative reporting.

  5. Rick 2013.11.13

    Mark, you mean it's time for Ben Dunsmore and KELO to CATCH UP with the investigative reporting already underway by Cory. He's doing a great job, much better than the alleged #1 blog DWC. Great work, Cory!

  6. Bree S. 2013.11.13

    The state will have absolutely no interest in investigating her. They will ignore it as long as they can.

  7. Jenny 2013.11.13

    It's time to call up Pat Lalley and David Montgomery of the Argus Leader. Good journalists, they've right on top of all the latest in the NBP scandal I know, but I'm sure this would interest them.

  8. Chris Francis 2013.11.13

    So, how much accumulated interest did the Bosworths gain from the sold lottery tickets over the past year, and where did that interest go? Did they invest the money they collected into an investment vehicle, like a high risk/quick return, try to turn that money over a few times, or more likely, fund another botched scheme of some sorts, like a campaign for Senate to draw out even more 'campaign contributions'? We're all being played by the Bosworths, their whole existence is nothing more than a quick rich scheme, and a poorly executed one at that. Well, at least they picked the right state to swindle after Utah.

  9. grudznick 2013.11.13

    If true this could be bad for the good young Dr. Bos. It seems an insaner scheme than most. I don't know much about this Lalley fellow, and Mr. Montgomery is top notch journalist but I bet you dollars to donuts or at least a lottery ticket for lots of donuts that Mr. Mercer already has this under deep journalistic research.

    I am glad Mr. Rhoden has not lotteried off any of his land.

  10. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.13

    Does anyone know if there are South Dakota laws that regulate these type of lotteries?

  11. Bree S. 2013.11.13

    I can see logically why you would support Rhoden, Grudz. He is after all getting at least half the numbers Stace is getting and he barely speaks English when interviewed and has a terrible record. Makes perfect sense to me.

  12. grudznick 2013.11.13

    Mr. Rhoden is far more eloquent, experienced, effective and conservative than is Mr. Nelson. You live in some sort of wheat-subsidy-funded rich-girl fantasy-land fed by the twin gremlins of ignorance and narrowmindedness. I can see logically why you would support Mr. Nelson, Mrs. S.

  13. caheidelberger Post author | 2013.11.13

    Bree, Grudz, watch where you're going. We're talking about raffle-scam here, not Larry's grammar... or his gramper.

  14. Bree S. 2013.11.13

    Ooh, Grudz is mad because he picked wrong.. again. and again.

    So Grudz, how likely is it that the Attorney General investigates Bosworth, in your opinion?

  15. grudznick 2013.11.13

    No ma'am, I'm not mad, and I still love you.

    I don't know much about how the Attorney Generals operate or what this young and pretty Dr. Bos might need to be investigated for. Sounds fishy duddenit? I'd guess about 18% chance.

    If you enlighten me on what laws she might have broken and I could refine my estimate considerably. Maybe these laws would require SEC investigation, or the sheriff, or the bureau of land lottery. I just don't know. So I'll stick with my 18% of the AG until I learn more. Mercer and other journalist will no doubt be adding to the information we all have, and no doubt they will not be casting stones at Mr. Rhoden. He's straight as an arrow and stout as an oak. Senatorial material.

  16. grudznick 2013.11.13

    Mr. H brings the laws. And the point that there was a Michigan group involved. Interstate commerce? FBI? IRS? Attorney Generals percentage guess now down to 16% and the IRS up to 52%.

  17. Bree S. 2013.11.13

    Grudz loves my ignorant, narrowminded self. Lol. I feel like I've been magnanimously forgiven for my sins by a preacher.

    And then the preacher turns into a drunk accountant. Thanks for that clear response. Sounded like you said "About as likely as pigs flying." Or maybe it was preachers flying. I can't tell the difference sometimes.

  18. Joe 2013.11.13

    Not to ruffle anyones feathers over this, but if you are trying to get your money back now after they said they would send a check and didn't you are wasting your time. Go to the authorities probably U.S. Attorneys office and explain what is going on. This is illegal, plain and simple. So I'd go probably first to the local States attorney and then over to Brendan Johnson's office and explain what is going on. When it comes to high profile people they have a tendency to listen a little more.

  19. caheidelberger Post author | 2013.11.13

    Joe, Mr. Fluit says he feels like he's unlikely to see his money again. But he does want to see justice done. A little public pressure may make justice and refunds get done.

  20. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.13

    grudz, are you serious that you can't see what the Bos woman and her husband did wrong?

    Cory laid out some pretty compelling evidence, that if true is called FRAUD!

  21. interested party 2013.11.13

    surreality show.

  22. Joe 2013.11.13

    Public pressure is fine, but I feel the authorities should be involved as well. I just don't really understand the decision by Bosworth, first why do you raffle off your land for a charity? Especially if you are as poor as you claim to be (maybe the land was donated to the charity, not sure). Then why would you not pay back the raffle people when you cancel the raffle? It just sounds confusing all the way around, now maybe if you are a con artist, but why if you are running for Senate and trying to get your business jump started? Some people can't help themselves, but still I'm not sure. It might just be an oversight but it just looks confusing from all angles

  23. grudznick 2013.11.13

    Mr. Cornelius, if they sold lottery tickets to win land and then never had a lottery, yes, I can see that is very wrong. They should be stormed by a horde of ticketbuyers if not the regular authorities.

    Yes sir, it is very wrong to steal money from people. It is stupid to buy lottery tickets but it is wrong to not at least give one of the winners the land. IF, and I stress this is not a fact of law or the laws of our land, young Dr. Bos did this, it is very very bad.

    Naughty Dr. Bos.

  24. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.13

    grudz

    "very wrong", "it is very very bad".

    How about "criminal" and "fraudulent"?

  25. interested party 2013.11.13

    Roger, looks like you're hammering the RCJ comment section on the OST story: grud should move to Pensacola.

  26. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.13

    Yeah Larry, reading what rednecks think they know about treaty law is a challenge, damn simpletons!

    Forgot to tell Grudz that Bob Newland sends him greetings!

    Larry, maybe you can explain to grudz the difference between "very wrong" and "very very bad" and criminal and fraudulent. Something there seems to elude him.

  27. Stan Gibilisco 2013.11.13

    On my fridge rests a little magnetic ribbon thingy that says, "Support Absolutely Nothing."

    I do believe I'll start taking it more seriously henceforth.

  28. interested party 2013.11.13

    grud is made, Roger; and, his grandchildren are made. Haven't you heard? Manifest destiny is a glorious success. Pristine prairie is passé. Screw the earth: time is money.

  29. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.13

    Manifest destiny, assimilation, I remember those days from the 60's.

    Is that where grudz is, the 6o's?

  30. interested party 2013.11.13

    yep. went to college with his brother and did bidness with both.

  31. Jerry 2013.11.14

    Everything is interesting. At Cedar Shores Marina (a privately owned business it seems) the state is tossing at least a couple of million to put in a retaining wall. No one knows the actual cost for sure, but a lot of moolah. Even the pesky federal government will grant a large grant to help a private business. Pretty benevolent of us to do so I must say. It seems that we could have provided those funds to ranchers while we wait for NOem and the rest of the hooligans to pass a FARM BILL that would most definitely help ranchers and other folks needing to eat. Money grows on trees for the well connected here in South Dakota, all's you have to do is give some of it back to those that gave it to you. Not too much though as that would be bad manners. Just enough to make the politicos light smile upon you.

  32. Rick 2013.11.14

    Unless the law changed in recent years, an organization or individual holding a raffle must first register the date and location of the drawing with the county auditor in whose county the drawing will be held. If the raffle involves selling tickets statewide, the drawing must be registered with the Secretary of State before tickets are sold.

    If this law is still on the books, the primary obligation to blow the whistle belongs to the Secretary of State to request an investigation by the Attorney General. However, the AG isn't stuck on a deserted island. His office can initiate an investigation when you have evidence of malfeasance that is this well known and easily established.

    So, when is the AG going to ask where is the money?

  33. caheidelberger Post author | 2013.11.14

    That law still reads exactly as you say, Rick. So shall we call SOS Gant and AG Jackley this morning?

  34. Robin Page 2013.11.14

    These kinds of schemes are common in Utah, where people in positions of power often take advantage of trusting people within their church (Mormons). The SD Attorney General's office should pursue a comprehensive investigation of Dr. Bosworth and her "non-profit" organization. A complaint to the Internal Revenue Service regarding this "non-profit" group could also generate investigation.

  35. Chris Francis 2013.11.14

    So, does anyone know what the going rate for financial penalties and of course, sentencing guidelines, are for this racket? Crossing state lines with this lottery scheme will surely make this even muddier, hooray for pending federal investigations and charges!

  36. Rick 2013.11.14

    Robin, precisely why the law is on the books: To protect the public. Chris, the feds have a huge caseload, and this is not the kind of item that belongs at the head of the line.

    One other actor is the county. The county auditor where the drawing is to be held can post a complaint with the county's state's attorney.

  37. caheidelberger Post author | 2013.11.14

    Crossing state lines... Chris, would that include selling tickets to folks from out of state? If we find one ticket holder from Minnesota or Iowa, does this become a federal investigation?

    I'm with Rick: I wouldn't want to distract the feds from the EB-5 investigation, which is about frying much bigger fish. But if anyone at the IRS office has time, maybe they should call around.

  38. Chris Francis 2013.11.14

    Wouldn't this be some sort of 'interstate' lottery, and thus warrant federal charges, as which state would decide who gets to try the Bosworths first, where they are held on charges, etc. If the states pursue the case, would each state be allowed to file separate charges where each fraudulent ticket was sold, or even offered and promoted, which could be any state I'd suppose. I would think being this is a lottery/mail fraud/who knows what else issue, the IRS/FBI would take the case on behalf of the individual states, which the states providing evidence, witnesses, and assistance.

    And as so far as taking away from the EB-5 circus show of misdeeds and bodies, we just need to employ more federal and state investigators, judges, lawyers, courtrooms, and ensure the law is held to all, including those who 'campaign' for Senate, which by last count, 2 out of 4 GOP candidates should be facing some rather serious charges.

  39. Rick 2013.11.14

    There were eight raffles posted between Oct. 2011 and June 2012, and only one drawing. They involved land and recreational equipment as prizes. Seven drawings were never held. We know nothing of cash being given back, which would be the standard way of handling a failed raffle.

    If the all or part of the money was pocketed and spent for purposes other than those advertised, that would be called embezzlement.

    If money was received with no intention of using it as advertised, that would be called fraud.

    The number of charges, the amounts of money involved, the circumstances in each of the seven alleged raffles and the number of people accountable as doing business as part of PHS could lead to a very large number of misdeanor and felony charges of various offenses.

  40. DB 2013.11.14

    "Chris, would that include selling tickets to folks from out of state?"

    Only if they are sold out of state. Selling them in-state and then moved out of state by the purchaser would not apply.

    "2 out of 4 GOP candidates should be facing some rather serious charges."

    You guys should stick with what you know, not what you think you know.

  41. interested party 2013.11.14

    4 out of 4 GOP candidates are suspected of serious offenses just by definition alone.

  42. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    Wouldn't it be fun if right when serious things were happening with the eb5 investigation the media was filled up with all kinds of stories and investigations of Bosworth? Noone would be paying any attention to Rounds, and meanwhile with Bosworth presenting herself as a "Bible-believing Tea Partier" spouting nonsense about morals and praying all the time, she'd taint the image of real sane conservatives in South Dakota thanks to self-proclaimed Tea Party Prophets going on and on about the "gay agenda" and "Christian morality" as if that has anything to do with the exploding size of the federal government. Sounds like a plan to me.

  43. interested party 2013.11.14

    Only principled principals need apply for prince/disciple.

  44. Douglas Wiken 2013.11.14

    "she'd taint the image of real sane conservatives in South Dakota thanks to self-proclaimed Tea Party Prophets "

    Hmm. "Real sane conservatives" or even "really sane conservatives" are a mighty small telephone booth size group.

    Joe Scarborough is going on and on in his book promotion tour about "pragmatic conservatives" with examples like Ronald Reagan. What he is actually referring to, are conservatives who now and then behave as liberals or middle-of-the-roaders. Pragmatism and conservatism are mutually contradictory terms.

  45. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    Let's not use blanket terms like "liberal" that roll economic and social issues into one.

  46. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.14

    DB
    The nice things about Bogs, other than our Freedom of Speech, is to exercise our intellectual abilities and discuss things we know absolutely nothing about.

  47. Douglas Wiken 2013.11.14

    Manifest destiny has more in common with 1860 then 1960.

  48. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.14

    Obviously, manifest destiny was more significant in the 1860's, it was however revived in the 1960's and 70's as Native American issues came into the public light.

  49. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    I like how someone called out Bill for his awesome rampage of "Alinksy personal attacks" across the DWC today. At least I'm not the only one who notices.

  50. interested party 2013.11.14

    dwc is a dipshit typhoon.

  51. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    Lol, yes your one-worders are somewhat more amusing.

  52. interested party 2013.11.14

    it's hard to know which commenter over there is most tedious: the beal twins, maybe.

  53. interested party 2013.11.14

    jammer your wearisome spouse, bree?

  54. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    No. Jammer is a slick one though. Slickest one on there.

  55. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    If I comment on there its not hard to pick out my sarcastic pseudonyms and blunt somewhat feminine writing style. I get moderated of course. My husband has never commented on the DWC as far as I am aware.

  56. interested party 2013.11.14

    Stace's campaign guy? What's his name: Ewok or Voldemort? JBS, christian identity or something.

  57. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    No, Jammer was originally discouraging conservatives from going after Rounds, saying it was impossible waste of time basically. He refused to say conservatives should support Stace no matter how I pestered him.

  58. caheidelberger Post author | 2013.11.14

    Bree, I guarantee, I am not part of any plan that I know of other than my own, and I would never plan to distract folks from the EB-5 scandal.

  59. caheidelberger Post author | 2013.11.14

    DB, help me understand the things I don't know. Suppose a guy in Minnesota calls the Sioux Falls PHS office to buy a ticket. He gives his credit card number and address. PHS sends the ticket to him in Minnesota. Does that sale violate the state-line rule?

  60. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.14

    Well, I think I know why Bos is praying all the time, her campaign sounds like it needs all the prayers it can get and then some.

    If an investigation proves criminal activity, she and grifter hubby will also need prayers.

  61. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    Of course not, Cory. Bosworth has got to be a dirty Republican strategy.

  62. grudznick 2013.11.14

    A wonderfully pernicious thought on the part of Mrs. S. That the conservative bulk of the SDGOP would compose such an elaborate farce as to distract from this important beef packing issue is amazing. The crazy wing has no idea what they might be dealing with if the conservative wing can cook up something like this just to distract the libbies.

  63. Jim 2013.11.14

    Smiling mike needs her to stay viable to split the crazy vote with stace.

  64. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.14

    Democrats are perfectly capable of managing multiple scandals. The only "plan" that is in play is the one that has bilked millions of dollars from investors and thousands of dollars to those duped into buying raffle tickets.

  65. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    It was probably her brilliant idea to run. That doesn't stop them from recognizing a wonderful opportunity.

  66. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    Um, and I wasn't suggesting it had anything to do with the SDGOP as a whole Grudz.

  67. Bree S. 2013.11.14

    Too bad she's too unhinged to keep in the race, no matter how many interviews she gets on Fox News.

  68. Deb Geelsdottir 2013.11.14

    And that woman has a license to practice medicine?!?

  69. Roger Cornelius 2013.11.14

    Deb,

    Don't be shocked that Bosworth has a medical degree, shucks, Michelle Bachman has a law degree.
    And our esteemed Noem has a taxpayer degree of some sort from Black Hills State (?)/

  70. Deb Geelsdottir 2013.11.14

    Funny Roger!

  71. caheidelberger Post author | 2013.11.14

    Update: I have two more confirmed raffle ticket buyers, one from out of state. More info to come....

  72. mathia rall 2013.11.22

    SD raffle/gaming laws state that the raffle must be held within one year of the date of state and city approval OR refunds must be made. You cannot give an arbitrary timeline to request a return.

Comments are closed.