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- WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. attorney's office, Secret Service and D.C. attorney general's office say they are investigating whether the promoter of a canceled inaugural ball committed financial fraud.
Darryl Dante Hayes had advertised the Veterans Presidential Inaugural Ball as a fundraiser for injured Iraqi war veterans where President Obama and his wife were scheduled to appear.
However, the ball at D.C.'s St. Regis Hotel was canceled the day before it was to be held, and a hotel official says the $50,000 security deposit check Hayes gave the hotel bounced.
Officials say they want to determine whether 52-year-old Hayes used Obama's name and sympathy for veterans groups to raise money for the ball.
Hayes says he canceled the ball because most of his corporate sponsors pulled their support. A Republican who held a successful inaugural ball for George W. Bush in 2001, Hayes says he intends to refund donors.
Darryl Dante Hayes had advertised the Veterans Presidential Inaugural Ball as a fundraiser for injured Iraqi war veterans where President Obama and his wife were scheduled to appear.
However, the ball at D.C.'s St. Regis Hotel was canceled the day before it was to be held, and a hotel official says the $50,000 security deposit check Hayes gave the hotel bounced.
Officials say they want to determine whether 52-year-old Hayes used Obama's name and sympathy for veterans groups to raise money for the ball.
Hayes says he canceled the ball because most of his corporate sponsors pulled their support. A Republican who held a successful inaugural ball for George W. Bush in 2001, Hayes says he intends to refund donors.
