CANTON, Ohio – In a shocking move, 49-year-old Steven Saris of Canton, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business and tax evasion. The Ohio man’s scheme, which spanned from 2009 to 2022, raked in millions in profits from several illicit gambling operations across the state and in Florida.
According to court documents, Saris owned and operated multiple illegal gambling businesses, including Café 62, Lucky’s, Winner’s World, and Spin City, in Northeast Ohio. He also ran similar operations in Springfield, Ohio, and throughout Florida. To evade detection, Saris arranged for others to serve as nominee owners.
Between 2015 and 2021, Saris failed to report over $10 million in income from his illicit businesses. For tax year 2015, he filed a false tax return that omitted more than $1.4 million in income. During that time, Saris used his ill-gotten gains to fund his own lavish lifestyle, including millions in casino bets and the purchase of at least two residential properties in Canton, Ohio.
Saris’ actions led to a staggering tax loss of $2,823,391 for the IRS. The Ohio man’s scheme was first uncovered in July 2018, when law enforcement executed search warrants at multiple locations in Northeast Ohio. Despite being informed of the investigation, Saris continued to operate his illicit businesses, making false statements to law enforcement in the process.
In a bizarre twist, Saris attempted to hide his cell phone from law enforcement when they executed a search warrant at his residence in August 2022. The phone was eventually found in the water tank of a bathroom toilet, a move that further underscores the defendant’s desperation to evade detection.
Sentencing for Saris is set for August 8. The Ohio man faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the money laundering charges and five years for both tax evasion and operating an illegal gambling business. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Related Federal Cases
- 49-Year-Old Canton Man Rakes in Millions, Pays Zero: Steven Saris Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion and Illegal Gambling · Ohio
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- Ohio Man Busted for Counterfeit Check Scheme at East Coast Casinos · New York
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Organized Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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