3704 stories by Philip Conneller
Bob Baffert Asks for Summary Judgment in ‘Swifthitter’ Defamation Case
Racehorse trainer Bob Baffert has filed a motion for a default judgment in his extortion and defamation lawsuit against two New Jersey gamblers. The federal suit alleges that Justin Wunderler and Daniel DiCorcia falsely claimed on social media they have damning video...
Town Judge in New York Charged with Stealing from Court to Gamble
A former justice for the small town of Moravia in Cayuga County, NY, has been charged with fourth-degree grand larceny after she was allegedly found dipping her fingers into court coffers. Former Justice June Shepardson was suspended by the town court in...
Credit Union Manager Sentenced for Blowing Stolen $400K at Meadows Casino
A former credit union manager from Rostraver Township, Penn., has been sentenced to 30 months in prison. She was found guilty of embezzling $399,230 from her employer of 15 years before setting a fire to cover her tracks. Patty Lynn Mavrakis, 65,...
PokerTribes.com Alleged Con Man Indicted in Murder-for-Hire Plot
An alleged con man who infamously tried to sell online poker to two Oklahoma-based tribes has been indicted in Nevada on murder-for-hire charges. Fereidoun “Prince Fred” Khalilian, who often falsely claimed to be an Arab prince, is accused of paying his bodyguard,...
‘Aged Mobster’ Didn’t Punch Victim for Gambling Debt, Jury Hears
An elderly, reputed mobster didn't punch a Manhattan restaurateur because he was shaking him down for a gambling debt. Instead, alleged Genovese capo and octogenarian Anthony “Rom” Romanello slugged Shuqeri “Bruno” Selimaj because the restaurateur insulted him, according to Romanello’s lawyer. Selimaj...
$2B Powerball ‘Pretender’ Will ‘Go to War’ for Winning Ticket
A California man who claims to be the rightful owner of the world’s biggest lottery jackpot has vowed to continue his fight for the $2 billion prize he claims was stolen from him. Jose Rivera was speaking publicly for the first time...
Casino del Sol Tucson Patron Arrested for Mass Shooting Threat
A disgruntled casino-goer was in custody Friday after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at the Casino del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. Michael McClernon told tribal police he had no recollection of threatening to drive his truck into the front of the casino...
Alabama’s White Hall Entertainment Resort Shuttered in Raid by State
Alabama's Attorney General's office spearheaded a raid on White Hall Entertainment Resort and Casino in Lowndes County Wednesday as part of a targeted crackdown on illegal gambling. The casino is one of dozens of gaming establishments that have been allowed to operate...
Mohegan Sun Bus Driver Who Ate Cannabis Gummies Avoids Prison
A bus driver who passed out on I-95 in Connecticut after eating a whole bag of Smokies Edibles Cannabis-Infused Fruit Chews won't serve prison time for reckless endangerment, The Connecticut Post reports. A Connecticut Superior Court judge was satisfied Thursday that Jinhuan...
Capitol Casino Robber Faces Life for Murder of Security Guard
On Aug. 22, 2022, Sean Bernal, a 27-year-old security guard at Sacramento, California’s Capitol Casino, was shot dead as he attempted to prevent a robbery. His killer, Dawan Pecot, 38, was convicted this week of first-degree murder by a Sacramento Superior Court....
