Date: November 11, 2024, 11:57h.
Last updated on: November 11, 2024, 12:09h.
A dealer at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh was apprehended on Friday due to multiple alleged infractions while operating at the blackjack table.
Jamie L. Smith, 33, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., is accused of mishandling cards on around 192 occasions.
Smith allegedly made errors in providing payouts to casino patrons for their wins and losses, neglected to collect money, and took chips from the chip rack, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
The incidents occurred over four days between October 26 and November 2.
Smith’s actions caused the casino to suffer a loss of $21,869, as reported by TribLive.com. The improper conduct was captured on casino surveillance footage for 31 hours and was witnessed by agents, authorities said.
Smith is facing charges of theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy, and manipulating a game of chance. She has been released from Allegheny County Jail and is set to appear in Pittsburgh Municipal Court on November 20.
Her case has been referred to local prosecutors.
Man Fatally Shot in Casino Parking Lot
An individual lost their life following a shooting incident in the parking lot of a casino in West Memphis, Arkansas, on Friday.
The identity of the deceased person injured at Southland Casino around 4 a.m. and taken to Baptist Crittenden Hospital, where they were declared dead, remains undisclosed.
Authorities are actively searching for the perpetrator, and the motive behind the incident is yet to be determined. Further information about the victim’s injuries is not yet available.
An autopsy may be conducted on the victim to confirm identity and determine cause of death.
Casino security personnel are cooperating with local law enforcement.
Our security team immediately informed West Memphis police following the isolated incident earlier this morning in the casino parking lot,” according to a casino statement on Friday.
Casino security staff have provided surveillance footage and other evidence to assist authorities in identifying the suspect.
Five Individuals Charged in Illegal Gambling Case
Five suspects made an appearance in court on Thursday after authorities in New York dismantled an illegal online gambling operation.
The suspects were residents of either Nassau County or Suffolk County on Long Island.
The arrests were the result of an investigation into an alleged illegal online sportsbook that commenced in July 2023 by Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly’s office.
The operation was purportedly overseen by Anthony Frascone, 75, of East Meadow, NY, and Anthony Pellegrino, 59, of Merrick, NY, according to prosecutors. Both individuals were charged with various offenses such as promoting gambling, criminal usury, promoting gambling, and conspiracy, Donnelly revealed.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for a court appearance on December 18. If convicted, they could face a sentence of five to 15 years in prison, prosecutors stated.
Other defendants in the case include:
- Philip Carucci, 59, who faces charges related to promoting gambling and conspiracy.
- Frank LoNigro, 51, who faces charges of promoting gambling, conspiracy, among others.
- Joseph Pietaro, 57, who is charged with promoting gambling and conspiracy. Pietaro is a former NYPD officer, as reported by Patch.
All three suspects have pleaded not guilty.
“One bettor alone owed over $150K to this alleged operation, underscoring the scale of this illicit book,” Donnelly stated in a release.