Video-poker business lands owner in jail

South Carolina -- A Hope Mills man has been sentenced to five months in jail and another five months of home confinement for his role in an illegal video-poker scheme, says the U.S. attorney's office in Raleigh.

Michael Waguespack was the owner of Funtime Amusements, a Cumberland County business, court documents allege. That business operated and sold video-poker machines that paid out prizes of more than $10 per hand - then the limit under state law, though video-poker has since been banned in North Carolina.

The business ultimately was raided by investigators, a statement from the U.S. attorney's office says.

Waguespack already has reached civil settlements of $230,000 with Cumberland County and of more than $1 million with the federal government in connection with his gambling operations. He will pay a $4,000 fine in his criminal case.

"This sentence represents a clear statement that those who ignore the law in pursuit of profit will ultimately face serious consequences," U.S. Attorney George Holding said in a statement.

Triangle Business Journal

News Added: 13 June, 2008

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