State police seize video poker machines; 5 charged so far

Kentucky State Police on Thursday seized $12,829 in cash, 44 video poker machines and various records and receipts from seven gas stations and rest stops in the region as part of a two-month investigation involving illegal payoffs from video poker machines.

Five people have also been cited and charged with promoting gambling in the first degree. They are Heather Banks of Richmond, Carolyn Eland of Mt. Vernon, Charles Barnard of Richmond, William Miller of Richmond and Mark Hudack of Winchester.

Charges are pending for four others police say are also involved in the illegal payouts.

One of the nine people involved also faces an additional charge of tampering with physical evidence after removing a video poker location from one of the businesses involved, said Trooper Michael Stotts of the Kentucky State Police.

Police say the businesses are illegally paying out winnings to people who play the video poker machines, which is an action that requires a license, Stotts said.

The investigation is ongoing.
Lexington Herald-Leader

News Added: 29 October, 2007

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