A former police officer from Virginia, who misled friends and coworkers by claiming he was anticipating a substantial inheritance, ultimately channeled the majority of their funds into gambling activities, stated federal prosecutors. This incident marks the second notable law enforcement gambling scandal reported today.

Jerry Keith Brady Jr., 38, hailing from Belle Haven, received a three-year sentence in the US District Court in Norfolk after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering, as revealed by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. This prison term is one year shorter than what the prosecution had sought.

According to prosecutors, Brady utilized the trust associated with his law enforcement role to solicit financial assistance from individuals who believed they were providing him with short-term loans. Over a span from November 2020 to November 2024, Brady managed to persuade at least 13 individuals to hand over approximately $831,000 in 33 separate transactions, as reported by the Department of Justice.

Phantom Inheritance Scheme

Prosecutors clarified that this alleged inheritance was entirely fictitious. Instead, much of the money was drained into gambling activities, including trips to casinos, online sports wagering, and slot-style machines in convenience stores, referred to in legal documents as “Queen machines.”

“Unbeknownst to those around him, the defendant struggled with a significant gambling addiction,” stated prosecutors in court filings covered by Shore Daily News. “To sustain this addiction, he deceived friends, acquaintances, and even strangers by leveraging the credibility of his police officer status.”

Brady, serving as a police officer in a tight-knit local community, exploited the public’s trust in law enforcement. Prosecutors indicated that he repeatedly reassured his victims to ensure the flow of money continued, even after repayment deadlines expired.

“Several victims had Brady sign written agreements or promissory notes affirming his commitment to repay the amounts borrowed,” prosecutors disclosed in an official announcement. “When the due date arrived without any repayment, Brady claimed that if he did not receive more funds, he would risk losing the supposed inheritance entirely, compelling many victims to provide him with additional money.”

Restitution and Sentencing

At his sentencing, the court mandated Brady to pay $747,050 in restitution to the victims. According to the sentencing terms, he must make monthly payments of at least $200 or 25% of his net income—whichever is higher. Should he adhere to this repayment plan, no interest will be applied to the outstanding restitution. Additionally, he was fined a $200 special assessment.

Related Case in Connecticut

Brady’s sentencing coincides with another gambling-related scandal within law enforcement in the US. A former police chief from New Haven, Connecticut, was charged recently with felony larceny after an affidavit claimed he misappropriated significant funds from a budget allocated for confidential informants, which state police allege he used to offset online gambling losses on platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel.