/ Source: The Associated Press
Federal officials and the Washington, D.C., attorney general were investigating the promoter of a canceled inaugural ball.
The Washington Post reported that Darryl Dante Hayes advertised the Veterans Presidential Inaugural Ball as a fundraiser for injured veterans where President Barack Obama would appear.
But the ball was canceled and a St. Regis Hotel official says a $50,000 check for a security deposit bounced.
Officials want to know whether Hayes used Obama's name and sympathy for veterans groups to raise money and whether he actually intended to hold a ball.
The 52-year-old said he canceled the ball because most of his corporate sponsors pulled their support. He said he never meant to mislead donors and intends to give their money back.