VITA NUOVA CLUB Poker machines seized in raid at Washington Street club

Two members standing outside called it a 'family club.'
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- State authorities took four poker machines and a small amount of cash during a raid of the Vita Nuova Club, formerly the Main Street Cafe, at 630 E. Washington St., on Thursday night.
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Brian Crouch said arrests are pending.
Items seized
Police raided the club around 6:30 p.m. and loaded the poker machines into an unmarked sport utility vehicle. The club is also known as the Family and Friends of Italy Club, police said.
Crouch identified Donald Conti Jr., known as "Ducky," 48, of East Home Street as a trustee of the club. Conti is a member of the Lawrence County Housing Authority, and his wife, Gloria, is the Lawrence County deputy treasurer. Calls to Conti for comment were not returned.
Undercover
Crouch said undercover agents from the state police and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement Agency have been going into the club since April and they have received payouts from the poker machines. Crouch added that the club does not have a liquor license.
"They were advised not to sell liquor and not to get any more poker machines," Crouch said of those inside as he was leaving the building.
A police news release said club documents were also taken in the raid.
New Castle Police were also involved in the raid. The department's K-9 officer Rico was part of the group that went inside the building. Police officers said the dog was there to help secure the building, but was not searching for drugs or anything else.
New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone said they started receiving complaints about the club in March and asked state police to help investigate soon after.
Crouch said he believes the club has been operating since January.
The door outside the club identified it as a members-only club. Both men and women were seen going into the building shortly after the raid.
Said good things
Two men standing outside the club during the police raid, but who would not give their names, said it's a good club.
"You can go in there and bring your family," one of the men said.
Both men were chased off by a third man who came out of the club and threatened to punch them for speaking to newspaper reporters. Police had already left.
New Castle Mayor Wayne Alexander said the raid is part of his campaign promise "clean up New Castle."
"We are going to continue to have other raids," he said.
cioffi@vindy.com