Fat Freddy
is Blowin Smoke!
Thanks for all opinions, that is why I posted the question. There are some very thoughtful responses here. Keep them coming if you have any further ones.
I am not concerned about the money so much as I am mad about the deliberate act, and the fact that this individual cheated some other teams out of recognition and money. We worked tirelessly for months to put on a first class event and did everything we could to cater to the teams, including paying out in cash instead of checks.
In the end, we will have to now revise our proceedures to protect ourselves. No entries will be accepted within two weeks of the event unless they are paid with cash or cashiers checks. That will cost us teams, but I cannot think of any other way.
Might I make a suggestion. I know many teams wait until the last minute to enter and some of those are out of town or what not so they would probably prefer to pay by check. My suggestion is to take online entries. I am not sure how hard or easy it would be but if you have it set up to take Paypal or credit card or something as well as check(by a deadline) then you could still get the last minute entries.