Financial Gaps Cloud Sub Umbra Lions’ Hilux Fundraiser

Tonight, troubling questions revolve around a trusted name in Belize City. The Sub Umbra Lions Club is facing growing controversy over its stalled 2026 Toyota Hilux raffle, a fundraiser that many believed would be straightforward. Instead, financial discrepancies have rattled confidence in an organization long known for charity and public service. And as members demand answers, Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado, himself a Lion, is stepping away from the unfolding dispute. What exactly went wrong, and what does this mean for hundreds of ticket buyers still waiting for their money back? We take a closer look.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Tonight, Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado is breaking his silence as controversy continues around the Lions Club’s 2026 Toyota Hilux raffle. Rosado is a member of the organization, and some of his fellow Lions have even moved to make formal reports to police based on their own findings. But despite the growing scrutiny, the Commissioner says he has little firsthand knowledge of what went wrong, a response that’s raising even more questions as the fallout unfolds.

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“Well from what I was briefed, well I am a member of the Lion’s Club. From what I was briefed is that the raffle was scheduled to have happened, but they did not sell the amount of tickets of tickets, hence the reimbursement will start shortly. That is all I am aware of.”

 

That repayment plan now faces scrutiny, as bank records reviewed by News Five reveal only thirty‑two thousand dollars available, even though ticket sales reportedly topped fifty‑two thousand.

 

Voice of: Lions Club Member #1

“Based on what the treasurer said yesterday, the club does not have enough money to reimburse the public their funds and there is not enough money to pay every single person that bought a ticket.”

 

From the outset, a major flaw undermined the Lion’s Club 2026 Hilux Raffle. The Lotteries Committee, in granting the club permission to conduct the raffle, did not seek to ensure that club had secured the 2026 Hilux.

 

Lewin Samuels, Secretary, Lotteries Committee

“From the Belize City Sub Umbra Lions Club this application is to apply for a license to raffle a Toyota Pickup truck on December thirty-first, 2025. So, the process in applying for a license was met. They completed a form and it was approved.”

 

So how could the committee have overlooked this critical piece of information. Speaking anonymously, one Lions Club member noted that many people hold the organization in high regard for its charitable work.

 

Voice of: Lions Member #2

“But when we spoke with them, it is really the name we carry. Lions have always been a reputable NGO, they had no reason not to trust us.”

 

In late December, there was a last-minute rush to purchase raffle tickets ahead of the initial raffle date.

 

Voice of: Lions Club Member #1

“The treasurer had fifteen thousand dollars that was given on December thirty-first from other club members and people from the public who wanted to hurry put in last minutes tickets.”

 

That sum was reportedly meant to go towards the twenty-thousand-dollar downpayment on the 2026 Hilux as was indicated in this letter to Belize Diesel and Equipment from the club. But, as Belize Diesel and Equipment has verified, engagements with the club ended at a pro forma invoice in June 2025.

 

Voice of: Lions Club Member #1

“The entire club found out that the deposit was not made when it came to light that there was no truck.”

 

Bank statements reveal the club deposited fifteen‑thousand, three‑hundred dollars on March twenty‑fourth, despite paperwork dated weeks earlier. News Five reviewed both documents. Now, the club will have to repay all ticket buyers, under the watch of the Lotteries Committee.

 

Lewin Samuels

“A part of the data is to request the contact number of each person and we will diligently make contact with these individuals to make sure that they are paid. It is a task, but at the same time we need to keep the public trust that the Lotteries Committee is here to protect.”

 

What remains clear tonight is that transparency and accountability will be crucial as the organization attempts to move beyond a raffle that never was. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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