YOUNGSTOWN 9 guilty in instant bingo case

Sham charities made it appear that gambling operations were legitimate.
YOUNGSTOWN (AP) -- Nine of 13 defendants were found guilty Monday in a federal trial over instant bingo proceeds that were supposed to go to charity but were kept by the gambling operators.
Chester "Chet" Simons, of Akron, the lead defendant in the case, was convicted of 73 counts, including operating an illegal gambling business, conspiracy and numerous charges of money laundering.
The case began in February 2002 with raids on 127 instant-bingo businesses. More than 500 law enforcement officers throughout Northeast Ohio conducted the raids and confiscated more than $1 million in cash and numerous slot-machine-style instant-bingo games, most of which were in Summit County.
'Long trial'
The jury reached its verdict during its fourth day of deliberations as the trial began its fifth week before U.S. District Judge Peter Economus.
"We're happy with the verdict," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Bulford. "That jury worked hard. It was a long trial."
Bulford said each of the counts carries a maximum penalty of either five or 10 years in prison. He expects those convicted to receive sentences of two or three years. No sentencing date has been set.
Simons' attorney, Don Malarcik, said his client raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities. He said Simons may appeal.
"Chet is obviously disappointed," Malarcik said. "Today, however, he's more concerned about his family and his friends in this case than he is himself."
Simons and others were accused of setting up sham charities or taking over legitimate charities so it would appear their gambling operations were legitimate.
Forfeiture sought
Bulford said Simons brought in more than $1 million from instant bingo from January 2000 to February 2002. The indictment sought the forfeiture of more than $1.35 million, which Economus will rule on later.
The jury convicted four other people: Simons' son, Brett Simons; Donal Bush and Bush's son Chad Bush, all of Akron; and Vicki Losh, of Mogadore.
Also convicted were four companies and organizations that Chet Simons ran: Instant Win LTD; Apollo LLC; Natural Health Foundation; and Chet's Vehicle Exchange.
The jury acquitted Jon Yarborough of Johnson City, Tenn.; Larry Main and Jordan Alex, both of Akron; and the Hippocrates Foundation.
Employee testifies
Lisa Wagner, who worked for Chet Simons, testified she was in charge of paying bills, writing checks, making bank deposits and transfers and keeping track of all proceeds from the bingo operations.
Chet Simons' employees would collect money, checks and credit-card receipts from his bingo businesses and bring them back in bags and boxes to be sorted and later deposited into various local bank accounts, she said.
Wagner said she wrote dozens of checks on Chet Simons' behalf from the accounts in which the bingo proceeds were deposited. Wagner testified that Chet Simons told her he needed money in a Key West, Fla., account because he was trying to open a casino in Costa Rica.