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Ten people face RICO conspiracy and gambling-related charges following a joint investigation by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission into five Southwest Florida arcades. Authorities executed simultaneous search warrants at the locations in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, according to The Apopka Voice’s Nov. 6 report.
The investigation uncovered an alleged illegal gambling network and resulted in the seizure or freezing of assets valued at more than $1.5 million.
Investigation expanded to suspected racketeering
Investigators used covert surveillance and examined financial and banking records. The inquiry expanded from illegal gambling to suspicions of racketeering and money laundering.
The charges include RICO conspiracy and counts related to illegal gambling devices and keeping a gambling house. The allegations have not been established as findings of guilt.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno described the scope of the investigation:
"We weren’t hunting machines. We were going after the people, the money, and the infrastructure that our investigators uncovered."
Harold Hauck Jr. was arrested in Sarasota County. Timothy Fandry was taken into custody in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Authorities confiscated 239 slot machines
Authorities confiscated 239 slot machines described as illegal. The assets seized or frozen included cash, gold coins and bullion, bank funds, luxury items and vehicles.
The reported amounts included:
- $715,272 in U.S. currency seized.
- Approximately $661,454 in gold coins and bullion.
- $383,573 in frozen bank funds.
- $30,250 found directly inside slot machines.
Two residential properties have also been designated as subjects of civil forfeiture proceedings.
More from playfl.com – Seminole Tribe Sues DraftKings Over Alleged Illegal Florida Sports Betting – Florida Gaming Control Commission marks 4 years of illegal slot enforcement – Florida Gaming Commission Funding Still Undecided by Lawmakers
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Source: As reported by The Apopka Voice.
