CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – It's a story of a Clinton Township bowling alley versus a bank, with a few hundred bowlers caught in the middle.
Several bowling leagues are asking "Where's our money?" after a $100,000- prize fund was recently seized.
Gerardo and Fabrizia Pavone own the Kingswood Lanes bowling alley on Groesbeck Highway. They've been struggling to survive the severe economic downturn that pummeled Michigan in recent years. They're hoping to turn the corner and say they've been trying to renegotiate their mortgage since last May.
Fabrizia Pavone told us, "We are a healthy business. All our leagues are happy with us. They all want to come here next season."
Now, that goodwill is at risk.
The couple says Citizens Bank seized their company's accounts last week, including prize money exclusively set aside for leagues that bowl at Kingswood Lanes. James D'Ambrosio, better known as Jimmy D, works at the alley, and is the treasurer for one of those leagues.
He said, "Now this bank decides to take this account away from us and it's not the company's money, it's not Kingswood Lanes money, it's the league's money."
The Pavones showed us an account statement from Feb. 25 showing more than $160,000 was withdrawn from the prize fund.
Mark Martin of the Metro Detroit U.S. Bowling Congress Association says he's never seen a bank seize money belonging to bowlers.
He said, "The bank may very well have legal standing here. i don't know that but morally this isn't Kingswood Lanes money, this isn't Citizen's Banks money, this is the bowlers' money."
Citizens Bank tells tells Local 4 "privacy policies" prevent it from commenting.
Late Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson gave an affidavit. It says the Pavones did not provide documentation that the prize fund was being held on behalf of third parties. And, the money could be taken in the mortgage dispute.
The affidavit also says if the bowling leagues can prove the money is theirs Citizens may return it. Local 4 passed this along to the leagues.
Ruth to the Rescue will let you know what happens.