1. Downtown Eugene Inc.

3. • Russell Carl Brink
• Age 55
• Executive Director

4. • Association of downtown Eugene
businesses
• Business Improvement District
• Collection of dues
• About 15% from the City of Eugene
(taxpayer funds)
• Funds used for promotion of
Downtown
• Mall Guides – “Red Hats”
• Annual budget of about $500,000
• Volunteer Board of Directors

6. Management Transition
• 2008 – decision to
transition management
of DEI to the Chamber
• Reduce overhead
expenses
• Contract with Brink to
assist in the transition
• $10,000 per month for
a three month period

7. The Discovery
• Brink does not perform
during the transition
period as expected
• Contract is terminated
early
• Brink re-locates to New
Hampshire

8. The Discovery
• During a review of
documents in Brink’s
office a discarded Wells
Fargo Bank statement
for August 2008 is
discovered
• Suspicious ATM cash
withdrawals

9. Financial Analysis
• DEI’s finances for a one
year period are
examined by a private
CPA
• Discovery of numerous
suspicious transactions
• First report to Police in
April 2009

10. In the Media

11. The Investigation
• Discovery of two DEI • ATM cash withdrawals
Bank accounts from local bars and
– Wells Fargo Bank clubs
– Bank of America • Locations all operated
state video poker
machines

12. The Investigation
• Cash back from
deposits
• Irregular pay checks to
Brink for varying
amounts
• Direct bank transfers
from both accounts:
– Credit cards
– Cell phone accounts

13. The Investigation
• Subpoena for Brink’s
personal bank records
– ATM cash withdrawals
– Same bar/video poker
locations

14. The Investigation
• Subpoena for Brink’s
credit report
– Numerous credit card
debts

15. The Investigation
• Brink is twice-divorced
• Last divorce in 2006
• DEI records show
increase in ATM
withdrawals and other
payments 2006-2007

16. The Investigation
• University Small
Business Association
• Safe and Sound
• Eugene in Common
Brink volunteers with these
organizations handling the
finances!

17. The Investigation
Safe and Sound – a Lane County program funded by grants to
aid at-risk youth.
• Received an Annenberg Foundation
grant for $100,000 in November
2007
• Funds moved in multiple
transactions to DEI bank accounts
• Brink restores these funds to
S&S with a $90,000 personal
check!

18. The Investigation
• University Small • Eugene in Common
Business Association – Operation transferred to
– No missing funds Saturday market
– Money moving back and – Brink closed bank
forth through DEI account
– Direct relationship with – Turned over check and
DEI through Mall Guides incomplete box of
records to new
managers

19. The Investigation
• Interviews with DEI
employees
– Bounced paychecks
– Brink asked several to
hold paychecks a few
days
– Brink sometimes paid
bounced check penalties
for employees out of his
pocket
– DEI always short on
money

20. The Investigation
• Interviews with DEI
board members past
and present
– Relied on Brink’s
statements on DEI
finances
– Repeated requests for
additional documents
– Lack of knowledge about
DEI financial details

21. Financial Losses
• Approximately
$150,000 in losses from
2005 – 2008
• Statute of limitations
reduces the loss figure
to about $85,000

22. Grand Jury Indictment
• July 2010 – Brink
indicted for multiple
thefts
• Warrant isn’t entered
until January 2011

23. Brink in New Hampshire
• Ex-wife identifies
woman in New
Hampshire
• Public records check
shows Brink at the
same address

24. Brink in New Hampshire Area
• August 2008

25. Brink in New Hampshire Area

26. Brink in New Hampshire
• FaceBook • Brink responds to electronic
• Yahoo! communications!

27. Brink in New Hampshire
• Brink is advised of the warrant
• Says he will drive to Eugene in early January 2011

28. Brink in Jail
• January 19, 2011
– Brink turns him self in to
the Lane County Jail

29. In the Media (again)

30. In the Media (again)

31. Negotiations
• Prison sentence?
• Probation?
• Restitution?
• What are we going to
do with Mr. Brink?

32. Sentencing
• 120 months prison
• Downward departure to 5
years of probation
• Approximately $85,000
restitution
• $30,000 at time of
sentencing
• Probation violation means
120 month sentence
imposed

33. Final News Story

34. The Players
• DEI Board • Wells Fargo Bank
• DEI Mall Guides • Bank of America
• Chamber of Commerce • Equifax
• Safe and Sound • Brink’s 2nd Ex-wife
program / Lane County • Lane County District
• University Small Attorney’s Office
Business Association • Lane County Jail
• Eugene in Common • Cell phone carriers,
• City of Eugene credit card issuers, etc.

35. Detective Steve Williams CFCE
Eugene Police Department
Financial Crimes Unit / Arson Unit
777 Pearl Street Room 107
Eugene OR 97401
541-682-2682 office
541-682-8337 fax
Email: steve.e.williams@ci.eugene.or.us