Despite lack of audit on Dyngle's game, Ohio AG says he plans a review

AUSTINTOWN

A lack of oversight of the Queen of Hearts game continues to raise questions.

When asked about the fact that no audit was done after Barry Dyngles Pub, 1601 S. Raccoon Road, paid out a $1.8 million jackpot, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said, “It’s worrisome. We’ll be taking a look at this. As far as we can tell, so far at least, we’ve not seen anything that would indicate it’s illegal.”

He further said, “Just as we look at all new things, we want to make sure the game’s legitimate and there’s not money skimmed off – all the things we need to look at.”

When Ohio Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, was asked about the lack of an audit, he said he wasn’t sure what triggers an audit.

“If there was claims of misconduct or claims of dishonestly or claims ... of skimming off the top, I believe there surely would have been an audit,” Schiavoni said. “But I don’t know what the triggers for an audit would have been.”

Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course – like other licensed gaming operations in the state – undergoes annual audits. Such an audit is part of gaining a gaming license and is not triggered by fraud reports.

Read more about the situation in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.