A brief look at crime Nov 16- Nov 22

Woman who stole $28,600 from senior gets year in jail

A former caregiver who fuelled her gambling addiction by bilking an elderly woman out of more than $28,000 in savings is going to jail. Carol Jean McQuade, 60, was handed a one-year jail term and two years of probation at a sentencing hearing Friday. She will have until the end of her probation to pay $28,600 in restitution to the woman, a 92-year-old retired nurse who served in Europe during the Second World War.

Miller woman pleads to bank embezzlement

A judge has accepted Susan Mareska’s guilty plea to bank embezzlement as part of a plea agreement in which federal prosecutors will dismiss other charges when she is sentenced in December. Court documents put the loss over a 7-year period at $152,909 or more to American Bank & Trust of Miller, where Mareska was employed. According to a factual basis statement filed in court, the 50-year-old woman developed a gambling habit and took interest, money from certificates of deposit, interest retirement accounts, war bond money and other distributions from elderly bank customers who likely would not realize the money was missing.

2 Men In Custody In Cockfighting Ring

Douglas County Sheriff Ken McGovern said two men were taken into custody after a raid Tuesday at a Eudora farm. Authorities said it was a breeding location for cockfighting roosters. The sheriff said Ezqueil Olivas was arrested and accused of three counts of cockfighting and a count of possessing cockfighting paraphernalia.

Ark. man allegedly defrauded NLR bidding process

An Arkansas man running an illegal gambling operation conspired with a North Little Rock alderman and a contractor to rig city bids to collect on debts, a federal grand jury indictment unsealed Monday alleges. George Wylie Thompson, 64, of Cabot was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand and later brought to Los Angeles, U.S. Attorney Jane Duke said. An investigation into Thompson’s gambling operation led FBI agents to discover the bid-rigging scheme in North Little Rock that involved concrete purchases and landscaping project, Duke said.

Adviser admits $9M investor scam

A longtime financial adviser from Monmouth County pleaded guilty yesterday to bilking investors out of more than $9 million, authorities said. He claimed the fund, which he created in 1992 and called Health Care Financial Partners, had more than $300 million in assets made up of loans to health care facilities such as nursing homes. But in truth, Smith deposited the money into his own bank accounts and used it for dining at restaurants, gambling and traveling abroad, authorities said.

Vegas fraud a sign of the times

That’s what appears to be happening at many casinos today at least, according to a panel of security experts that spoke Monday during the first day of conferences at the Global Gaming Expo. The panel said that despite new technology, or perhaps because of it, many of the crimes that casino security people are seeing today are updates of old scams.

“When there is nothing new they can create, they go back to the old,” said Jessie Beaudoin, senior director of surveillance at the Hard Rock Hotel. “A lot of the things you hear about are not new scams, per se. But they’re trends that are starting to rear their ugly heads again.”

22 Held in Staten Island Betting and Loan Sharking Raids

Twenty-two people, including reputed members of organized crime families and a New York State court officer, were arrested on loan sharking and gambling charges in early-morning raids on Staten Island. “These investigations uncovered the intricate network that organized crime families had developed in Staten Island,” said Daniel M. Donovan, the Richmond County district attorney.

Massive Illegal Gambling Bust Yields 38 Arrests, $32,000

Illegal gambling busts have been on the rise over the last year, spread across multiple states. One of the most recent stings came in Galveston and Texas City, Texas. Thirty-eight were arrested, one of which was charged with a felony, during two similtaneous raids. Sportsbetting was the operation in question, and it was presumed that players would be trying to collect on their college football wagers from the day previous.

PA Gaming Control Board Fines Casino for Underage Gambling Violations

A $24,000 fine was levied today by the Commonwealth’s gaming oversight agency on a south central Pennsylvania casino operator for three separate violations dealing with underage gambling. During the past two years, the Gaming Control Board has levied fines statewide on six occasions for violations of underage gambling or minors on the gaming floor totaling $211,500.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

UPDATE: Dan Lee, CEO of Pinnacle, resigns after an investigation into his behavior was launched

Casino Watch Focus reported that the Missouri Gaming Commission was investigating the strong-arm incident at a recent casino rezoning meeting.  Now, The St Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that Daniel Lee has resigned as the CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.:

The veteran casino industry executive resigned his job atop Pinnacle on Monday, two days after Missouri gambling regulators launched an investigation into his conduct at last week’s meeting of the St. Louis County Council. In a statement, the gambling company said Lee was quitting “to pursue other business interests.”

A spokesman said Pinnacle would not otherwise comment beyond its statement, which thanked Lee for his seven years of service and for building Pinnacle from a “small casino company to a developer and operator of world-class gaming entertainment properties.”

Daniel Lee has a long history of unsavory comments and behavior.  The Post continues:

Long before his confrontation with a local lawmaker Tuesday, Lee — a frank, fast-talking former Wall Street analyst — had a reputation as something of a character.

He regularly made snide comments about competitors, once referring to Creve Coeur-based Isle of Capri Casinos as “the Motel 6 of the industry,” and describing the Casino Queen in East St. Louis as “surrounded by razor wire.”

[His] company also joined Ameristar Casinos in a campaign to overturn Missouri’s $500 loss limit last fall. Pinnacle poured $7.7 million into a ballot initiative that would end the limits.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A brief look at crime Nov 9- Nov 15

Financial, Extramarital Affairs Linked To Family In Murder-Suicide

In the months since the suspected triple murder-suicide, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office investigators have tried to figure what could have prompted the husband to kill his family and then himself.  Investigators say friends of the family told them there was stress because of money trouble, gambling, and an alleged open relationship.

It was a horrifying discovery by a cleaning crew as they came to the Wood’s Heathrow home on a June Monday morning. Cindy Wood was found dead in her bedroom.  J.D. Wood was dead in the living room.  Their 10-year-old son, Dillon, was dead on the couch, and 12-year-old daughter, Aubrey, was found dead in her pink pajamas in bed.  Authorities say all of them were shot in the head.

Woman arrested for leaving children alone

A Waterloo woman who allegedly left her children home alone while she visited a casino has been charged. Police arrested 25-year-old Latoya Enjoli Donald on Wednesday on five counts of misdemeanor child endangerment. Court records indicate the children were left alone for about 3 1/2 hours the evening of March 19. Authorities found the children, ranging in ages from one to eight years old, after the mother was detained at the Isle Casino Hotel for allegedly violating a no-contact order.

Stranger Saves Assault Victim, Police Say

Police credit a stranger and a security camera for leading to an arrest in an attempted rape at the Ameristar Casino recently. Clay County prosecutors charged Manoxay J. Salivanh with attempted rape on Tuesday. Police said a 23-year-old woman was in the parking garage at the casino earlier this month when Salivanh followed her into the elevator and attacked her, officers said. Police said a man heard the screams and ran to help. “Somebody getting involved — taking the opportunity to do that even though they put themselves at risk — really helped save this woman from this sexual attack,” Capt. Rich Lockhart said.

Mental exam ordered for man jailed in Fresno school embezzling

A former business manager who has admitted stealing $422,000 from a tiny southwest Fresno school district was in jail Thursday after a judge ordered him to undergo a mental evaluation. The burglary charge stems from stealing a district computer’s hard drive in an attempt to cover up the theft, prosecutors say.  LoStracco said Robinson stole money to feed his gambling addiction. Robinson’s desire to change his life led to him being caught and pleading guilty to the charges, LoStracco said.

Ex-director admits $97,000 theft to gamble

The former executive director of Communities in Schools of Southeast Texas has pleaded guilty to stealing $97,000 from the nonprofit organization to fuel his gambling habit. Vernon Dunn, 53, is scheduled to appear Dec. 7 before 252nd District Judge Layne Walker for sentencing. He faces up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. He also is eligible for probation.

AMK suicide tragedy: Deceased Ng Chee Kiang used to splurge on his wife who likes branded stuff

 

The deceased Ng Chee Kiang, who set fire on his flat before plunging down from 12 stories to his death was reported by Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao to be a devoted husband who doted on his wife. Mr Ng was reported to owe loansharks thousands of dollars who frequently came to harass his family. Unable to withstand his gambling habits, his wife wanted to divorce him.

Gambling problem led to embezzling for first selectman’s wife

Laura Smith embezzled $47,983.62 from deposits at the Deep River branch of Liberty Bank at 151 Main St. and used the money to gamble at casinos, according to the warrant for her arrest on a first-degree larceny charge. Smith, who told police that her gambling was “out of control,” lost a total of $408,887 at Mohegan Sun since January 2001 and $10,745 at Foxwoods Resort Casino since 1992, according to the warrant.

Buffalo Woman Charged with Stealing from Senior Center

According to prosecutors, a gambling addiction pushed a 71-year-old woman to swindle more than $93,000 from the senior citizens home she was hired to manage. The criminal complaint filed in the case shows Goodwin bet more than $1.7 million between 2001 and 2008. Police investigators asked Goodwin if she knew what she was doing was wrong. They said she answered “absolutely” but said the gambling addiction was too strong.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Missouri Gaming Commission Looking into Pinnacle CEO’s strong-arm incident

Casino Watch reported the extraordinary story of Pinnacle’s CEO Daniel Lee, who used some questionable methods to try to influence a recent rezoning vote that could have implications for the President Casino.  Now The St Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that the Missouri Gaming Commission is launching an investigation into the act:

Investigators are looking into the behavior of Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.’s CEO during a zoning vote by the St. Louis County Council this week on a casino complex being developed by another company.

Gaming Commission Executive Director Gene McNary said Friday that the inquiry is being conducted by members of the Missouri Highway Patrol, who perform investigations for the commission.

A spokeswoman for Las Vegas-based Pinnacle, Pauline Yoshihashi, said the company will fully cooperate with any investigation.

The Post explains that the investigation was encouraged by State Senator Tim Green:

State Sen. Tim Green, D-St. Louis, said Friday that he had written to the Gaming Commission asking for further scrutiny. The commission told him it had already started making inquiries.

“I think it’s very serious when a CEO with two gaming licenses threatens an elected official,” particularly during a meeting, Green said. “It’s just wrong.”

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A brief look at crime Nov 2- Nov 8

Ex-employee held for Oshrenko family massacre

A 39-year-old man has been in police custody for several days on suspicion of having perpetrated the worst multiple homicide in Israel’s history last month, in which six members of the Oshrenko family were brutally stabbed to death in their Rishon Lezion home.  Kirilik, a compulsive bettor who traveled around the world to feed his gambling addiction, was in desperate need of cash after running up large debts. He reportedly tried to blackmail Edward Oshrenko by threatening to report alleged income tax irregularities to the Tax Authority. Oshrenko responded by photographing Kirilik committing a lewd act with a waitress, and threatening to send the image to his wife if Kirilik reported him.

Kirilik was aware of a large amount of cash in the possession of the Oshrenko family, and set out to rob their home and murder members of the family, police said. He stole approximately NIS 25,000 from the apartment, police added. “Three generations of a single family were wiped out. This is a tragedy for all Israeli citizens,” Mor said. “This was a family that successfully ran its businesses, and was well integrated into the community.”

Witness: Deadly Sushi Bar Shooting Over Gambling Debt

A man shot dead inside a Denver sushi bar was attempting to collect a gambling debt from the restaurant owner, 7NEWS has learned. That owner, Yan De Yang, 40 has been charged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 22 shooting death of Lloyd Running Bear, 29. Running Bear was shot multiple times in the chest as horrified lunch patrons at Chopsticks and Sushi Restaurant watched. Yang, who remains in jail, was also charged with first-degree assault.

Yang, who uses the first name David, told police he shot in self-defense when Running Bear began choking him, according to police reports. Yang said he had been getting death threats after he threw Running Bear out of his restaurant a week earlier for being drunk.

Former DSS finance director pleads guilty in $5 million theft

The former finance director of South Carolina’s social services agency pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $5 million from the agency, money he has said he spent on alcohol, gambling and strippers. So far, Moore, Moses and 50 others have been prosecuted for their roles in the scheme, and prosecutors say more arrests are expected. In all, Barbier says, authorities think the two men recruited more than 300 people to help embezzle the money, telling them to say the money was either from grants or child support payments if anyone asked.  Last month, Moses was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to his role.

Ex-casino manager gets 50 years in prison

A former Albuquerque-area casino manager has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after admitting he stole more than $1.2 million by forging payout slips. Authorities initially charged 39-year-old Daniel Roybal with nearly 700 different counts. He pleaded guilty in August to 17 felony charges of embezzlement and forgery at Sandia Casino.

Churches Raise $500,000 for Gambling Addict; Said he Had Cancer

New Zealand – 39-year-old Gerard Marychurch faces Auckland District Court this week on charges accusing him of deceiving money out of area churches by pretending to be a cancer sufferer in need of treatment money, totaling $500,000 since 2004. Marychurch said in a written apology that most of the cash went toward his addiction to gambling. A female parishioner said that he also lied about having to travel to the South Island for specialist treatment, where parishioners were out of sight.

Brooklyn P.D. chase stolen car, shots fired at Lumiere

A woman has been arrested after she fled police in a stolen minivan and then tried to run over an officer at the Lumiere casino parking garage, police said.  The two officers fired shots at the van to try to stop it. No one was injured and police caught up with the woman about two blocksaway from the casino after she abandoned the van.  Brooklyn police said that at 6:55 a.m. today that officers tried to stop the 1994 Chevrolet Astro van. The officer then learned that the van had been stolen from Granite City, Brooklyn police said.

Court Notebook: Judge throws book at gambling embezzler

Telling her gambling is no excuse, a circuit judge ignored pleas for leniency and sentenced a former bookkeeper to 12 years in a state prison for embezzling about $210,000.  Judge Hardt also sentenced Mary Jo Clark, 60, formerly of Golden Gate Estates, to 10 years of probation, a lengthy term, so she could repay John Rice Plumbing the thousands she stole from the Naples firm from December 2001 to October 2005.

Calif. man gets 26 years for crash that killed 11

A Northern California bus driver involved in a crash that killed 11 people last year has been sentenced to more than 26 years in prison. The Stockton resident was convicted last month of 11 counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and 21 counts of great bodily injury.  Watts was behind the wheel of a bus carrying a group of mostly elderly Hmong and Mien immigrants from the Sacramento area to a casino in October 2008 when the bus veered off a rural Colusa County road and rolled over.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

North St Louis County Casino Rezoning plan passed, despite strong-arm tactics by Vegas casino exec

Casino Watch focus last reported that the idea of a casino in north St Louis county looked bleak given Pinnacle’s decision to fix the Admiral and leave the casino at its current location.  However, the issue still came before the Council and they voted 4-2 to approve the measure.  This means that should a license become available, a casino could be potentially built in the Spanish Lake area in north St Louis County.

One council member came forward to give his account of what happened leading up to the vote.  As reported by the St Louis Post Dispatch, he claimed that he was given the strong-arm treatment in an attempt to vote against the proposal:

Stenger said he was paid a visit shortly before the meeting began by Daniel R. Lee, chairman and chief executive officer of Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., and several members of Lee’s entourage.  Stenger said it was the first time he had met Lee, who had flown in that afternoon from Las Vegas.

“He comes into my office 15 minutes before the meeting begins and he muscles me,” Stenger said. “He said, ‘This (the casino) is the largest investment your district has ever seen or will ever see. And we are asking you to vote no (on the North County rezoning issue).’” “I asked Lee why he cared, but he would only say, ‘Voting no is the right decision to make. You need to vote no.’” Stenger said.

The pressure didn’t stop there.  Once the vote was cast, a visibly upset and clearly out of control, Daniel Lee made another move.  The  Post Dispatch explains:

After Stenger cast his vote, he said, Lee got out of his seat near the back of the chambers, hurried down the side aisle and stepped up onto the council dais.  “He got about two feet from my face before someone waved him aside, telling him he could not interrupt the meeting like that,” Stenger said.

Stenger said Lee then approached Stenger’s assistant, Linda Henry, who was seated at the side of the dais. “Lee says to her, loud enough for everyone to hear, ‘He (Stenger) just made the worst move in his political career! I won’t forget this! I never forget things like this!’” Stenger said.  Henry confirmed the incident. “He said it very menacingly,” she added. “I felt threatened.”

In a typical public relations move, Daniel Lee attempted to apologize for his behavior in an email.  He claimed he is just very passionate about the issue.  Either way, his behavior was clearly unacceptable and the vote was clearly unfortunate.  However, if the Admiral can pass an inspection, its unlikely a casino will be moving north.  Please keep reading Casino Watch Focus for more updates on this situation.

And for more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A brief look at crime Oct 26 – Nov 1

Man guilty in great-grandpa murder

Darius Huntington was found guilty of murdering a 69-year-old great-grandfather at his home in July.  Willie Rice was killed after hosting a poker party. Police allege  Huntington and two others arrested, Derrick Hewlett and Cordney Rowe , targeted Rice because he ran an illegal gambling operation out of a back room of his Spring Street home.  One suspect entered Rice’s home earlier that evening to case it out and then returned with the other two suspects. Huntington was convicted of first-degree murder, felony firearms and being a felon in possession of a weapon. He’ll be sentenced November 17.

Former Accounting Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $3.6 Million from Employer

A former accounting supervisor for a Houston area chemicals company has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $3.6 million from her employer, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. Simon used the embezzled money to buy a luxury home, luxury vehicles, jewelry and financed multiple gambling trips to Louisiana and Las Vegas.

Poker Player Who Killed Parents Won’t Get Death Penalty

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office will not seek the death penalty for Ernest Scherer III, now 31, who is accused of killing both his parents. former San Ramon Valley schools trustee Ernest Scherer Jr., 60 and Charlene Abendroth, 57, a longtime Cal State East Bay accounting lecturer, were both found brutally stabbed and beaten to death in their Pleasanton home last year.  Both the father and son were well known on the professional poker circuit.

Police contacted Gambling911.com last year in an effort to help with the investigation.  They had determined the younger Scherer to be a prime suspect in his parents murder and believed at the time he owed substantial amounts of money in gambling debts.  It was later determined that Scherer stood to inherit more than a $1 million.

FBI, police rescue 52 kids in prostitution probes

The raids are the latest in a long-running Operation Cross Country aimed at child prostitution rings around the country. Almost 1,600 agents and officers took part in the raids, which led to federal and state charges against a total of 691 suspects. The investigations typically target places where minors are likely to be sold for sex, including truck stops, casinos, public streets, and Internet Web sites.

FBI officials say they have rescued 52 children in a series of raids around the country aimed at under-age prostitution. Authorities say the youngest victim was just 10 years old. The bureau and local police officials also arrested 60 pimps during the three-day enforcement effort in 36 cities.

Swiss police: Bank employee gambled away $2.8M

Swiss police say a bank employee has admitted stealing millions from the bank’s safe to finance her $60,000 to $89,000 a week gambling habit.  The 41-year-old woman confessed to embezzling $2.8 million over the course of five years.

Financier blames bankruptcy on gambling addiction

BANKRUPT city financier Nick Levene, who quit as vice-chairman of Leyton Orient Football Club last week, has blamed his losses on a gambling addiction.  The 45-year-old is alleged to have taken money from tycoons to buy shares on their behalf but failed to invest any of it or return the cash. He has now had his assets frozen following a High Court order and has been ordered to return £17.9m to Brian Souter and Ann Golag, the founders of travel firm Stagecoach.

Gambling addict facing jail after stealing £5m

A GAMBLING addict is facing jail after he admitted stealing almost £5 million from Birmingham University.  Paul Sadler, the former managing director of Birmingham Research and Development Ltd, a trading subsidiary of the university, pleaded guilty to stealing the money from his firm between December 1994 and January 2008.

Former officer gets 10 years

Mickey L. Dooley, 50, was re-sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $49,000 in restitution and fines by U.S. District Judge G. Patrick Murphy.  Dooley was indicted in January 2008 on charges that accused him of lying to the FBI, stealing money from the evidence room at the Alton Police Department and wire fraud, as well as failing to file his 2006 income tax return. He was convicted by a federal jury in September 2008 and sentenced in December 2008. Prosecutors alleged the 24-year police veteran used the stolen money to support a gambling habit. Dooley was the evidence custodian for the Alton Police Department.

Atlantic City Casinos Hit With More Underage Gambling Fines

Atlantic City casinos may be struggling, but that does not mean that they are going to be allowed to offer gambling to underage patrons. On Wednesday, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission again made that point loud and clear. Fines were handed down to Bally’s Atlantic City and Caesars Atlantic City casinos. The casinos are owned by the same company and were represented at the Wednesday hearing by Attorney William J. Downey.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Pinnacle looking to fix The Admiral and Keep the President casino put

Casino Watch Focus has been reporting on the possibility of a new casino in the Spanish Lakes region of North St Louis.  The only way a new casino would even be possible would be if the President Casino were not allowed to remain open due to the condition of the Admiral, a move the Missouri Gaming Commission seemed to believe would be the case. Now its being reported by the St Louis Post Dispatch that Pinnacle is planning to fix the Admiral to a safe level and not attempt to move its location:

Pinnacle Entertainment, which owns the money-losing casino on Laclede’s Landing, said Thursday that it plans to refurbish the aging Admiral riverboat, on which the casino sits, and keep it docked downtown. The move would appear to prevent a high-stakes scrum for the President’s valuable gaming license.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday, Pinnacle said it now plans to repair the boat prior to a hull inspection due next July, and that the repairs should be enough to keep the Admiral in service.

This move is a clear contradiction to statements made by Pinnacle, but not one that is openly being blocked by the Missouri Gaming Commission.  The Post Dispatch explains:

Since 2006, when they bought the President for $45 million as part of their plans to build Lumière Place, company officials have said time and again that fixing the hull was not feasible. For a time last year, it floated a plan to move the boat north, to the Chain of Rocks Bridge. But state gaming regulators rebuffed that plan. As recently as July, Pinnacle said it wanted to replace the Admiral with a newer riverboat it owns, not repair it.

Pinnacle appealed, charging that the Gaming Commission had all but stripped its license — which expires in 2011 — without due process. And earlier this month, attorneys for the state opened a door to repairs, saying the condition of the hull is not for them to decide. “That is between Pinnacle and (the inspectors),” the lawyers wrote in a court filing in the case, which is still being considered in state appeals court. “The Commission is not attempting to prohibit Pinnacle from repairing its hull.”

The Gaming Commission may still need to approve the move, but their intentions are currently unknown as they declined to comment given the current lawsuit.  Keep reading Casino Watch Focus for updates on this situation.

And for more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A brief look at crime 10/19/09 – 10/25/09

Woman Shot at Legal Gambling Café

A woman died after a gun accidentally discharged at a legal computer gambling cafe on Normandy Boulevard.  Police say the woman was on a computer gambling when a man walked into the Allied Veterans of the World Inc. Police say he had a gun that he mishandled and it went off, hitting the woman in the back.  Neither the man nor the victim have been identified. Police are investigating and have not said if the man will face charges.

Man gets 26 to 90 years in Vegas casino shooting

A 53-year-old unemployed house painter apologized to his victims before he was sentenced Monday to 26 to 90 years in prison for opening fire with a handgun and wounding four people in a Las Vegas Strip casino more than two years ago. A jury found him guilty last July of 51 of 52 felony charges – including a charge of attempted murder with a deadly weapon for each of the 16 shots he fired.

Smuggled gun used in double-homicide

The Crown alleges that on June 21, 2007, Frimpong and his accomplice, Phillip Salmon, burst into the motel room where Ahmad and another man were smoking crack. Frimpong and Salmon’s intent, according to the Crown, was to rob the men. The Crown alleges that Frimpong fired a shot, and the single bullet killed both Ahmad — who was hit in the head — and Salmon, who was hit in the chest. Sears was what police call a “straw purchaser” — a front man who buys guns for a smuggler. The smuggler then took the weapons across the U.S. border.  “I thought I’d get lots of money,” Sears said. “I ended up getting screwed. But I had a gambling habit at the time and that’s how I spent the money. I spent it all gambling.”

Youth hangs himself after losing gambling match

An youth allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself to death after losing a gambling match on the occasion of Diwali.  According to the locals, Amit on Friday late evening had gone to Faizabad city for gambling, but he lost money, which he took himself from his house.

Colo. casinos collect $600,000 in child-support

More than $600,000 has been garnished from winnings of deadbeat parents who gamble in Colorado during the first year of a controversial law that requires casinos to check whether big winners owe child support. Anyone who wins more than $1,200 at a machine or a table in the Colorado gaming towns of Black Hawk, Cripple Creek or Central City is run through a computer database to see if they owe any child support payments. Advocates praise the law as a good way to get money from deadbeat parents.

Gambler jailed over $16 million investment scam

A “compulsive” gambler whose high-risk, unregistered investment scheme left mum and dad investors $16 million out of pocket has been jailed for 13 years.  The Brisbane District Court yesterday heard the promoter of the money-losing scheme, Brett Tony Best of Middle Park, had also faked loan applications to borrow $4.3 million as he fed his gambling addiction.  Westpac, National Australia Bank and Bank West were among the eight lenders defrauded when the trucking industry enthusiast sought finance to buy 45 non-existent prime movers and semi-trailers, the court was told.

Store boss stole to feed gambling habit

THE FORMER manager of a Plymouth surfwear shop stole more than £10,000 in cash from his employers to feed a gambling addiction, a court heard.  Nick Hawke, aged 25, admitted three counts of theft from the Freespirit surf shop in New George Street between January and March this year, and asked for five similar offences to be taken into consideration by the judge.  Hawke was ordered to pay thousands of pounds in costs and compensation.

Accountant admits embezzling $3.6 million from Pasadena firm

A former accounting supervisor for Kaneka Texas chemicals company pleaded guilty today to embezzling more than $3.6 million.  Diana Simon, 49, of Sugar Land, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for systematically stealing from the Pasadena-based wholly-owned subsidiary of Kaneka Japan. She used the stolen funds to live well — buying a luxury home, expensive vehicles and jewelry and taking many gambling trips Las Vegas, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson’s office.

Ottawa County woman accused of embezzling from parents

Authorities have charged an Ottawa County woman with embezzling at least $100,000 from her parents’ life savings of $275,000. Eloise Russo is accused of taking the money to pay for gambling losses, a $10,000 gift and a $16,000 new car for her sister. The 53-year-old woman is free on bond following her arraignment Wednesday — two days after her father, Thomas Sherwin of Hudsonville, died at age 90. Russo was appointed guardian to her father and her 83-year-old mother, Ada, in April 2007. Ottawa County Probate Judge Mark Feyen removed her from the post in July 2008 after allegations of fraud emerged.

Charges: Knights Of Columbus Worker Embezzled $60K

An employee for the Knights of Columbus has been charged with embezzling $64,000 from her employer over the course of a year and a half. The following day, she admitted to Bloomington Police that she had forged checks to make house payments and to support her gambling addiction.

Ex-lawyer gets 4 years in prison for stealing from clients

Disbarred Halifax lawyer Srinivasen Pillay was sentenced Monday to four years in prison for stealing more than $1.3 million from clients’ trust funds.  Mr. Pillay used much of the money to feed a gambling problem, Halifax provincial court was told.  It’s the largest legal embezzlement ever in Nova Scotia and rivals the worst cases in the country, Crown attorney Richard Hartlen said.

Trusted bookkeeper stole more than $700,000, sentenced to prison

Anthony took more than $700,000, according to Joe Vance, assistant Stark County prosecutor.  “She had a gambling problem. She was taking the company money and applying it to different places,” he said.  If she won, she would return some of the money, Vance said. But she wound up losing more.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Florida House Speaker asks federal commission to stop Seminoles’ illegal games

Casino Watch Focus has reported on the ongoing saga between the Florida legislature and the Seminole Tribe regarding an acceptable gambling compact.  The back and forth resulted in a deal to move forward with a compact that was to result in millions for the Florida government in exchange for new table games allowed at the tribal casinos.  Now, after months of failed agreements, the Florida Speaker of the House, Larry Cretul, has asked the federal government to intervene.  On online Florida source explains:

In an Oct. 21 letter to Chairman George Skibine, Rep. Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, said in spite of “good faith” negotiations by the State of Florida with the Seminoles, “It is my opinion we have reached an impasse that can only be remedied by your intervention.”

Citing provisions of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which empowers the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) to fine operators and temporarily close gambling activities in violation of IGRA, Cretul told Skibine, “It is our hope that the NIGC exercises this authority to bring the Tribe into compliance with federal law.”

House Speaker Cretul outlined in his letter that the Seminole tribe can’t be allowed to violate the law and disadvantage the people of Florida.  The online article continues:

Cretul said the Seminoles’ continuing operation of illegal games at its casinos “disadvantages” the state in its negotiations with the tribe.

“Until the banked card games (and slot machines) are shut down and the Tribe gives some indication that it is willing to abide by the law, and ultimately its agreements, it would appear that the State would be ill-advised to enter into any compact with the Tribe,” wrote Cretul.

While “we are willing to negotiate in good faith,” Cretul concluded, “We will not be forced into accepting a compact that grants the Tribe more games than they may rightfully demand under IGRA.”

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A brief look at crime 10/12/09 – 10/18/09

Trio of Murder Indictments in Tallahassee

Leon County grand jury issues three murder indictments in a swift morning session.  Terrell Robinson was indicted for first degree murder in the strangulation of his girlfriend, FSU art student Elisabeth Killam. Killam was killed in her Chartre Oaks apartment three weeks ago.  The grand jury also indicted Victor Hamilton on two counts of first degree murder. Hamilton is the accused triggerman in a double homicide at a Tennessee Street hotel last month.  Lemon Lane was also indicted for first degree murder in the shooting death of Anthony Nathan back in August. Deputies say the shooting on Cathedral Drive was the result of a gambling dispute.

Insurance agent sentenced to 13 years in prison

A former Sacramento life insurance agent has been sentenced to 13 years in prison and ordered to pay $434,000 in restitution for stealing from her clients to fund her gambling habit. Between January 2005 and August 2007, Flora convinced at least a dozen retirees living in El Dorado, Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus and Butte counties to invest between $5,000 and $88,000 with her, a news release said. She sold annuities to retirees who sought financial security, but then also offered additional investment opportunities, promising annual returns ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent. She told them their funds would be used to make real estate loans to investors paying high interest rates. But she made only a few interest payments to investors. Instead, she used the money to play the slots almost daily at Thunder Valley Casino in Placer County.

Kids raiding houses to feed online habit

Young people are being driven to break into neighbours’ houses or stack up bills on their parents’ credit cards so they can gamble online, says the Problem Gambling Foundation. Research director Phil Townshend said a record number of people were seeking help from the foundation for online gambling addictions, and the problem was set to spread among young people.

Iowa man accused of trying to rob woman at casino

A 21-year-old southeast Iowa man is accused of breaking a 76-year-old woman’s arm as he tried to rob her at a casino.  Authorities say he tried to take the woman’s purse, and when she wouldn’t let go he knocked her to the ground.  She suffered a broken arm, dislocated shoulder and broken ribs.

Ex-bookkeeper sentenced for fraud

A gambling addict was on Friday jailed for six years for stealing more than R2-million from two legal firms while in their employ as a bookkeeper. Chabillal said some of the money stolen from the second firm had  been used to repay the first.  She stole from her employers, taking money from their respective  trust accounts.  He said he also agreed with defence attorney Deon Louw that Cronje was a pathological gambler…She was sentenced on 153 counts of fraud, and one of money laundering, all taken as one.

Supermarket manager stole £112k in fortnight to fund roulette addiction

A SUPERMARKET boss who stole £112,000 from Lidl in a fortnight to fund her gambling addiction was jailed yesterday.  The 38-year-old manager took the cash from Lidl’s Langstracht store in Aberdeen over a two-week period in September last year. [She] would squander up to £4000 a night at the roulette wheels in the city’s casinos.  She took cash from her store to gamble – then stole even more in the hope of winning the cash back.

Homeowner association president sentenced for embezzling $87,000

The former president of the Gander Road Homeowner’s Association, who admitted to embezzling $87,000 from the group, was sentenced Friday, Oct. 9, to five years probation. Griffin pleaded guilty June 17 to one count of honest services mail fraud. Griffin must repay the restitution at the rate of $1,000 per month and receive counseling for gambling addiction. Rice also ordered that a lien be placed on Griffin’s home.

Woman loses $25,000 in jewelry at Joliet casino

An Oak Lawn woman lost $25,000 worth of jewelry in restroom Sunday at Empress Casino.  The woman told police she hung her purse on a door hook of a casino restroom stall about 4:30 p.m.  The woman turned away from her purse, police said, and when she turned back, the purse was outside the stall and open, and a jewelry case containing $25,000 worth of jewelry was missing.

Connecticut: Former Manchester Cop Accused Of Theft Accepted Into Program

A former police sergeant accused of stealing more then $19,000 from Police Explorer and child safety seat funds has been accepted into a special program in lieu of going to prison. Police said she stole the money  because she had more than $240,000 in gambling debts.

Employee Stole Soju Worth $260,000

Ulsan Nambu Police Station apprehended an employee of an alcoholic beverage company for stealing soju worth nearly 300 million won ($260,000) from his workplace.  Police said the man, named only as Kim, entered the warehouse of the liquor company he worked at from March to July about 50 times after his colleagues had left and hid some 11,000 boxes of soju with a market value of 290 million won.  Kim sold the liquor to clients for a cheap price and spent the money at casinos abroad.

Trial of 22 opens in SW China on organized crime, gambling charges

Twenty-two people went on trial Wednesday in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on charges related to running an organized crime ring and illegal gambling dens. The alleged ringleader, Xie Caiping, was charged with organizing and leading an organized crime gang, running illegal gambling dens, and harboring people taking illegal narcotics, illegal imprisonment and giving bribes to officials.

The municipal authorities arrested more than 2,000 government officials, police officers and suspected gangsters in a crackdown on organized crime this summer. Among those arrested was Wen Qiang, director of the municipal judicial administrative bureau and former executive deputy director of the municipal public security bureau.

Woman accused of embezzling from elderly parents

Authorities have charged a west Michigan woman with embezzling at least $100,000 from her parents’ life savings of $275,000.  Eloise Russo is accused of taking the money to pay for gambling losses, a $10,000 gift and a $16,000 new car for her sister. The 53-year-old woman is free on bond following her arraignment Wednesday — two days after her father, Thomas Sherwin of Hudsonville, died at age 90.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Illinois looking to legalize online horse betting

Illinois is known for its diverse gambling venues. Everything from a state lottery to full casino gambling is legal in the state. Now, Illinois is looking to expand its horse betting business to the Internet.  An Illinois news source is reporting of the State’s latest attempt at solving budgetary problems with an expanded gambling plan:

Gambling on horse races on the Internet could become legal for Illinoisans as early as Wednesday.  The Illinois Racing Board is scheduled Tuesday to weigh giving three companies state licenses to handle online bets. If those companies are approved Tuesday, gamblers could use the approved Web sites to wager on horses from the comfort of their own homes as early as Wednesday.

Soon, the approved companies could start advertising, and Brubaker said he hopes the state will step up enforcement on non-licensed Web sites.

Estimates suggest the online betting could bring the state $1.5 million in additional revenue.  Opponents of online horse betting, though, argued letting people gamble online could lead to addiction and other problems.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A brief look at crime 10/5/09 to 10/11/09

Fraud case tied to escrow checks

Mark Brady seemed to have it all during the real estate boom — two title companies, BMWs, a Hummer, powerboats, a $2 million home on Merritt Island, an oceanside condominium in Cape Canaveral and three other riverfront properties.  Then, two days before Christmas, Brady was arrested — charged with illegally using $80,000 of his clients’ money from escrow accounts to pay off gambling debts in the Bahamas.

Feds: Biker gang plotted to kill, extort rivals

National Pagans Motorcycle Club leaders and more than 50 members and associates of the outlaw biker gang are accused of plotting to kill and extort rivals to consolidate the club’s power in the eastern U.S., according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.  Many of the charges detail violent efforts to intimidate and extort smaller biker gangs and clubs, and illegal gambling centered on raffles for nonexistent motorcycles. Other crimes listed in the 83-page document include drug dealing and weapons violations.

Gambling board sends gambling addict, fraudster for therapy

The Western Cape branch of the gambling board referred a gambling addict to a clinical psychologist for therapy after she started having suicidal thoughts, the Bellville specialised commercial crime court heard on Monday.

As bookkeeper, Cronje first stole from the Trust bank account of the Paarl attorneys firm, Van Wyk Fouche Inc, to support her gambling addiction.  Van Dyk said Cronje had started gambling “socially, and under control”, until the year 2001 when she had started gambling with amounts such as R2 000 in one night, which had escalated to R10 000 and then to R20 000 in one night.

He said she had initially gambled with her salary, but later started stealing from her employer. She had also gambled away money that she had won at the Grand West, but had always been careful to take home some of her winnings, to show her husband.

Dillon authorities arrest 9 in gambling operation investigation

Nine people were arrested Tuesday after Dillon authorities along with State Law Enforcement Division agents foiled a Dillon gambling operation that involved betting on professional sports.  Johnny Jennings is charged with operating a gambling house and simple possession of marijuana.  About $10,000 in cash was discovered during the raid along with moonshine, he said.

Bookkeeper admits massive theft from dentist

A Temecula bookkeeper accused of embezzling $1.6 million from the Oceanside dental office where she had worked pleaded guilty Monday to theft, a prosecutor said. Wafford’s attorney said prescription drug addiction was to blame for her actions; the victim, dentist James Hargas, said he believes the motivation was gambling at casinos.  Hargas said authorities told him the woman had gambled away much of the money at casinos.

Bond set for woman accused of stealing from sister’s business

A $5,000 signature bond was set Monday in Wood County Circuit Court for a 45-year-old former Nekoosa woman who officials say stole $45,000 from her sister’s business.  While going through bank records, Ebert’s sister noticed numerous transactions at the Rainbow Casino in Nekoosa, including $34,303.47 in debit card transactions, $8,961.81 in credit card transactions, $4,923.45 in unauthorized online account transactions and $2,564.11 in unauthorized checks between Dec. 1, 2007, and June 15, 2009, according to the criminal complaint.

Seattle senior center director charged with embezzlement

Accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the non-profit he ran, the former director of a South Seattle senior center has been charged with felony theft.   In court filings, King County prosecutors accuse Carlton Mark Williams, former director of the Southeast Seattle Senior Services Center, of completing 54 suspicious transactions totaling about $84,400 in less than a year.

In court documents, Haverkate said Williams told his former colleagues he’d taken the money to support his gambling problem. Following the check’s delivery, Williams allegedly sent another note of apology to an executive there. Williams, the detective alleged, “again stated his remorse and shame, and advised her that he was seeking counseling for his problem.”

3 men charged in $420,000 theft from Pa. casino

A prosecutor says three men, including a former police officer, used a slot machine “glitch” at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino near Pittsburgh to get it to pay them $420,000. Washington County District Attorney Steven Toprani said Tuesday that the men exploited a glitch in the machine’s software to cause it to display a false jackpot 14 times this summer. He called it one of the biggest slot thefts in casino gaming.

Credit union robber gets 40-month term

A 25-year-old man has been ordered to serve 40 months in a federal prison after robbing a Fargo credit union at gunpoint last December.  Denver Lee Tergesen also must serve three years of supervised release after prison, participate in a mental health treatment program and undergo treatment for gambling addicts, a judge ruled Wednesday.

SKorean building firm hit by 162 million dollar theft

A former executive of a top South Korean construction firm has been arrested for allegedly embezzling a whopping 162 million dollars from his employers, police and the company said Thursday.  Park, who was in charge of company finances, allegedly began diverting company funds in 2004 after he suffered heavy losses in stock trading and on horse race bets.

Pennsylvania Gaming Board Fines Harrah’s Chester Casino $45K

The fine was handed out because the gaming board found that the casino did not properly handle the situation involving a disruptive patron last year. The state has never levied a fine that harsh for this type of regulations infraction, but clearly this was the delivery of a message.

“The state of Pennsylvania has been expanding their casino gambling options and the state needs the new casinos to understand that the regulations must be followed,” said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz, “By fining Harrah’s, the new casinos now understand that any violations will not be tolerated.”

Couple robbed after winning $10,000 at Broward casino

A Southwest Miami-Dade couple was robbed outside their home Wednesday night as they returned from a Broward County casino after winning $10,000, police said.  One of the robbers emptied Gaston Rodriguez’s pants pockets of $20,000 while the other robber attempted to steal Yolanda Rodriguez’s purse, according to Miami-Dade police.  The couple, in their mid-60s, received minor injuries. Paramedics treated them outside their home in the 2800 block of Southwest 128th Avenue.

Dad who left child outside casino gets house arrest

A Calgary father who left his toddler alone in a van outside a casino in March has been sentenced to house arrest.  The man, who can’t be named under Alberta law to protect the identity of his child, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to an offence under the province’s Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act.  “It is of great concern to the court and to the public when a child is left in such precarious circumstance,” said Dunnigan. “What you did that day was simply unacceptable and could have resulted in much, much more serious consequences for your child.”

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

Obama Administration looking to expand Tribal Gambling

Casino Watch Focus first reported that the Bureau  of Indian Affairs established limits to how far a tribal casino could be built off-reservation.  With some exceptions, the general rule is that the casinos must be within 25 miles of a reservation.  Now, an online gambling article is pointing to a possible shift from the Obama Administration that could greatly expand gambling in America:

Already in the US, there is a major casino boom taking place. Casinos are being built at a quicker rate than at any time in the nations history, and Obama and his administration may soon help that expansion grow even quicker.

The Bush Administration created a law that claims that Indian casinos can only be built if they are in commuting distance from a tribe’s reservation. The Interior Department, however, is considering overturning that directive.

Not everyone is excited about the prospects of changing the directive. Any change in the laws would ensure that more casinos would be built.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION

A brief look at crime 9/28/09 to 10/4/09

Prison Gambling Associated With Crime, Substance Abuse When Offenders Re-enter Community: Study

Parolees with a gambling habit may resort to criminal activities and substance abuse when they are released from prison if there are few community supports to help them re-integrate, a University of Alberta study has concluded.  Gambling is prevalent in prisons and the study found that even inmates not habituated to the pastime before incarceration can acquire a taste for it they’re unable to shake when released.

Pair Charged In $70,000 Casino Chip Thefts

Police say they were pulled over while driving a short distance from the casinos and had $66,000 in cash and several stun guns.  Authorities say the men stole chips from closed chip trays that were not being used at the time at the Showboat Casino Hotel, and Caesars Atlantic City.

‘Coward’ raider gets 10 years

A ROBBER who attacked two vulnerable women in their homes to feed his gambling habit has been jailed for 10 years for his “despicable” crimes.  He even tore a wedding ring from the finger of one of his victims, Sheffield Crown Court heard.  He duped the elderly widow with a fake ID card and once inside pulled out a kitchen knife, threatened to cut her throat and demanding money.  “He has developed a rather substantial gambling habit, that led to him getting into financial difficulties.

Arts group treasurer charged with $400,000 theft

The former volunteer treasurer of an arts group that stages one of Indianapolis’ best-known art fairs has been charged with embezzling about $400,000. His attorney says the 28-year-old Benker had a gambling problem and spent most of the money in Las Vegas.

Former stockbroker gets 21-month sentence

A judge sentenced a former stockbroker from Alton to 21 months in federal prison Friday after a prosecutor said the defendant continued to gamble, even after he was fired for stealing other people’s money to do so.  The government has evidence that Harrison continued to gamble at casinos in St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., even after he was fired in 2008 by Stifel Nicolaus when they caught him taking clients’ money.

Brock, 67, had no other retirement fund than what he provided for himself by investing the money he earned. The man he trusted to give him investment advice, Harrison, took money that was not his and gambled it away, Brock said. Brock noted that while he was trying to salt away a little money for retirement, Harrison was leading the good life.  Harrison then racked up debts of $150,000 and stole more than $90,000, the prosecutor argued.

Dayton Police raid two convenience stores for promoting gambling – Three arrests

Dayton Police raided two convenience stores in Dayton. Coleman emphasized the importance of ridding the area of this type of activity because the promotion of illegal gambling attracts other, more serious types of crime.

Cockfighting ring, meth lab, weapons — oh, my!

An investigation into a cockfighting ring has unearthed a criminal enterprise in southeastern Pierce County, complete with cockfighting, illegal gambling, a marijuana grow operation and meth lab. Stolen cars and automatic weapons also were seized on the property.

Las Vegas clubs get slapped for bad behavior

Authorities crack down on ‘topless and lewd activity,’ excessive drunkenness, prostitution and drugs, holding nightclubs and casinos responsible. ‘We have rules,’ a Nevada gaming regulator says. In July, gaming regulators slapped the Planet Hollywood casino with a $500,000 fine for its Prive nightclub’s bad behavior, including “topless and lewd activity” and dumping club-goers in the casino “in various states of consciousness.”

The same month, the Rio closed its Sapphire topless pool, managed by a local gentleman’s club, after authorities arrested 10 people on suspicion of prostitution and drug crimes. Over Labor Day weekend, eight more arrests on similar charges were made at the Hard Rock Hotel’s pool club, Rehab.

Though the clubs are reliable moneymakers and publicity machines, some have vexed officials with their fraternity-style antics — including stripping contests, fistfights, and alleged drug use and sexual assaults.  Some clubs launched stripping contests; others tried to sneak around no-nudity ordinances by slathering women in body paint.  At Prive, patrons were involved in drugs and brawls, and minors were served alcohol.

For more information on the dangers of gambling, please visit CASINO WATCH, & CASINO WATCH FOUNDATION