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Feeling misled by Leinart league, Costa Mesa officials seek to address non-profits

/ STAFF WRITER

Though it is a separate entity, the Matt Leinart Flag Football League used the non-profit status of the Matt Leinart Foundation to gain access to sports fields at a reduced rate.

COSTA MESA – A former Costa Mesa city councilwoman said Tuesday night she was misled when she voted last year to grant the Matt Leinart Flag Football League, a for-profit company, a special status that gave the league field access and discounted rental fees normally available only to non-profit groups.

Wendy Leece, the former councilwoman, along with current city council members and officials, also acknowledged during an often-heated council meeting that the city has no system in place to verify whether organizations such as the Leinart flag football league are non-profits.