Former Show Place Arena Manager Criticized in Audit Report

A report issued by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission audit committee has criticized the spending decisions of former manager Bill Chambers, when he was running the facility, reported SoMdNews.com.

Among the criticisms in the report is Chambers' questionable spending of approximately $40,000 in taxpayer dollars, some of which the report states was on "rewards" to the United Way of Calvert County, which is run by Chambers' wife, President and CEO Kelly Chambers.

According to SoMdNews.com, the report states that Chambers authorized a free open bar during the United Way of Calvert County’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, which cost the arena about $1,300 per year for the seven years the venue hosted the event. The report also alleges Chambers gave the organization tickets to Bowie Baysox games “for the stated purpose of rewarding the staff of the facility manager’s spouse.”

Further, the report says that “these transactions do not represent prudent business deals for the facility” and “these transactions occurred with no higher level oversight or approval,” reported SoMdNews.com.

Chambers, who spent more than 32 years with The Show Place Arena before retiring last year, told SoMdNews in an email that MNCPPC has not shared the audit with him, but he is confident he acted appropriately.

For the more on the allegations against Chambers and other staff of The Show Place Arena, read the full story on SoMdNews.com.