Man pleads guilty in video poker case

NASHUA – A Milford man admitted Wednesday to helping to run illicit video poker gambling at the Harley-Sanford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and agreed to testify against his co-defendant, a former selectman, the prosecutor said.

Arthur Gagnon, 56, of 8 Ash St., Milford, pleaded guilty to a reduced, misdemeanor gambling charge and was sentenced to two years on probation, with a 12-month jail sentence to remain suspended so long as he behaves himself. Gagnon also was fined $2,000.

Gagnon and Douglas Bianchi, 60, formerly of Milford and now of Jonesboro, Maine, were arrested last year on felony gambling charges, alleging they made illegal payoffs to encourage players to spend money on video poker machines at the VFW post on Route 13 in Milford.

Prosecutors charge Bianchi leased the machines and Gagnon ran the gambling operation. State Liquor Commission agents seized five machines in a raid at the VFW on Feb. 24, 2007, after undercover agents received cash payouts for winnings on the machines.

Bianchi served one year as a Milford selectman before stepping down in 2006. He had been scheduled to stand trial on felony gambling charges earlier this month in Hillsborough County Superior Court, but his case was postponed and is now scheduled for trial July 7, court staff said.

The charge against Gagnon was reduced to a misdemeanor as part of his plea deal. Gagnon also has agreed to testify against Bianchi, Assistant County Attorney Patricia LaFrance said.

Video poker machines are legal in New Hampshire, so long as they are used purely for amusement.

Raids on video poker machines are a regular, if not frequent, part of New Hampshire law enforcement.

News Added: 27 March, 2008

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