Ex-slots worker charged with $650K theft
Also faces federal tax evasion case
A Tucson man authorities say stole more than $650,000 from Desert Diamond Casino is facing theft and federal tax evasion charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Arizona said in a news release.
Adam Thomas Vega, 30, was a slot machine floor worker between October 2005 and July 2007 when he cashed in 585 false jackpot claims, the release said. He also did not pay $205,077 in income taxes on the $664,422 he took, the news release said.
"This alleged theft hurts the integrity of the system," U.S. Attorney Diane Humetewa said in the release. "Hopefully this indictment will send a message that such individuals will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law possible."
Vega, who is not a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation, worked for the casino for six years. Theft is a fairly common problem at tribal casinos, though this is the largest such case to date, Desert Diamond CEO Scott Sirois said.
"It's typically a crime of opportunity, and unfortunately, because we handle large amounts of cash, the opportunity presents itself all too often," Sirois said.
Each of the 15 theft charges carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Each of the three tax evasion counts carries a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Vega is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 18, the news release said.
As a side note in this week's news we see in California the NA Tribes have
refused to accept state's minimum security guidelines for casinos -- Legal
face-off looms as the commission plans to adopt rules. Can it be the NA's
are really stupid? When crap like this happens what else can it be but
sheer stupidity?
Mini-Baccarat is a card game that requires no skill. >>>
It requires no skill, but a great deal of skill can be aquired. Can you say the same about slots?
What does that have to do with some crook going to prison because he thought he beat the system?