Publication Date: December 30, 2025, 02:55h.
Updated on: December 29, 2025, 04:57h.
- A man in Nevada faces a prison term of at least eight years after embezzling nearly $715K
- Dotty’s casinos uncovered significant financial discrepancies at multiple venues
- Dotty’s operates various slot machine parlors throughout Nevada and beyond
A former employee of Dotty’s from Sun Valley has received a 30-year prison sentence after confessing to embezzling over $714,000 from the local casino chain.
On Monday, the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office announced that 61-year-old Thomas Tonar received a sentence of six to 20 years for four counts of embezzling amounts exceeding $100,000, alongside two to 10 years for two counts of embezzlement below that threshold.
Overall, Tonar received an aggregate sentence of eight to 30 years, with the possibility of parole after eight years.
Victims of Tonar’s scheme, many of whom were fellow employees at Dotty’s, expressed how his actions adversely affected their lives, causing challenges with meeting financial obligations such as rent and mortgage payments. The Honorable Barry Breslow, appointed to the Second Judicial District Court by then-Governor Brian Sandoval (R) in April 2017, rendered the sentence.
Caught in the Act
The management of Dotty’s contacted the Sparks and Reno police departments in July after discovering that multiple establishments had been victimized by a theft committed by an insider.
Surveillance footage revealed Tonar stealing large bundles of cash from the back offices of various Dotty’s casinos. The Dotty’s chain operates numerous slot machine establishments across Nevada.
The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office did not disclose Tonar’s specific role or how he gained access to the multiple offices. Law enforcement, collaborating with Dotty’s finances team, established that Tonar embezzled a total of $714,713.59.
Initially, authorities faced challenges in locating Tonar. However, he was eventually found in a Sacramento motel in California. An arrest warrant was executed in coordination with local law enforcement in California.
Officers recovered $677,069 in stolen cash from Tonar’s motel room, along with three firearms.
Tonar confessed to the embezzlement from six different Dotty’s locations. He is now set to spend a minimum of the next eight years in prison. No motive was given for his actions, particularly considering the known security protocols of the casino.
Benefits of Employment at Dotty’s
Operating around 175 locations across Nevada, Oregon, and Montana, Dotty’s is continually searching for dedicated employees. The company’s website seeks to attract “friendly individuals.”
Dotty’s offers competitive benefits for full-time staff, including healthcare coverage, paid leave, and a 401K retirement savings program. Current job openings range from bartenders and security personnel to maintenance staff and management roles.
Founded in 1991 by Craig Estey, Dotty’s encompasses various gaming brands in Nevada, including Bourbon Street, Points! Casino, La Villita, Red Dragon, and U1.