ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA – In a shocking turn of events, Pennsylvania Coin, LLC, a Pennsylvania corporation, has been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering in the United States District Court in Williamsport. The charges were announced by United States Attorney Peter Smith, who stated that the corporation allegedly maintained and operated illegal video gambling devices in establishments in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.
According to the allegations, patrons at these establishments received cash payments based on credits, while Pennsylvania Coin, LLC received fees from the owners and allegedly split proceeds from the use of the gambling devices with the owners. The corporation allegedly used its share of the proceeds to pay employees and maintain the devices, and then deposited the funds into financial institutions where they were co-mingled with legitimate business income to conceal the nature, source and amount of the proceeds from the illegal gambling activity.
The charge arises out of the seizure of 288 illegal gambling devices and over $77,000 in U.S. currency from 180 business establishments in October 2012 by agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement as part of a joint investigation.
As part of the plea agreement, Pennsylvania Coin, LLC will enter a guilty plea and forfeit to the government $1,427,866 and the 288 seized gambling machines. Assistant United States Attorney Wayne P. Samuelson is assigned to prosecute the case.
It’s worth noting that indictments and criminal informations are only allegations, and all persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under the federal statute is a fine of $500,000 and a five-year term of probation. However, under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors when sentencing, making the statutory maximum penalty an inaccurate indicator of the potential sentence.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of enforcing laws related to money laundering and financial crimes. The alleged actions of Pennsylvania Coin, LLC are a clear example of the devastating consequences of such crimes, and we hope that justice is served in this case.
Related Federal Cases
- Pennsylvania Coin LLC, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2012 · Wyoming
- Pennsylvania Coin LLC, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2012 · Wyoming
- Pennsylvania Coin LLC, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2012 · Wyoming
- Pennsylvania Coin LLC, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2012 · Wyoming
- Pennsylvania Coin LLC, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2012 · Wyoming
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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