Casino Crime News Roundup: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh Dealer Allegedly Cheated

November 11, 2024

A dealer at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh was apprehended on Friday for a series of purported repeated offenses while participating in blackjack. 

Jamie L. Smith, 33, from Pittsburgh, Pa., is alleged to have dealt cards inappropriately on approximately 192 occasions. 

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Smith reportedly paid casino patrons too much for their winning and losing wagers, neglected to gather payments, and took chips from the chip rack. 

The events occurred over four days from October 26 to November 2. 

Smith's behavior led the casino to incur a loss of $21,869, according to TribLive.com. The inappropriate conduct was recorded on casino surveillance footage for 31 hours and was observed by agents, according to police. 

Smith faced accusations of theft through illegal appropriation, conspiracy, and intentionally rigging a game of chance. She was discharged from the Allegheny County Jail and is set to attend Pittsburgh Municipal Court on November 20. 

Her case was transferred to local prosecutors. 

Man Passed Away Following Casino Parking Lot Shooting 

An individual was killed after a shooting occurred on Friday in a parking lot at a casino in West Memphis, Arkansas. 

The unidentified victim was shot at the Southland Casino around 4 a.m. and was taken to Baptist Crittenden Hospital, where he was declared dead. 

Authorities are still pursuing the gunman, and there has been no information regarding the cause of the event. Information regarding the victim’s injuries was not readily accessible. 

The victim will probably undergo an autopsy, which will verify his identity as well as determine the cause and manner of death. 

Security guards at the casino are working in collaboration with local law enforcement.

"Our security team immediately contacted West Memphis police after the isolated incident early this morning in the parking lot outside the casino,” according to Friday’s casino statement.

Casino security personnel provided local authorities with surveillance footage and additional evidence to assist in identifying the suspect. 

Five Accused in Connection with Supposed Illegal Gambling 

On Thursday, five suspects were brought to court following the dismantling of an illegal online gambling scheme by New York authorities. 

The men resided in either Nassau County or Suffolk County located on Long Island. 

The arrests occurred after an inquiry into a supposed unlawful online sportsbook that started in July 2023 under the direction of Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly's office. 

Prosecutors stated that the operation was supposedly led by Anthony Frascone, 75, from East Meadow, NY, and Anthony Pellegrino, 59, from Merrick, NY. Donnelly stated that both faced seven charges of first-degree promoting gambling, first-degree criminal usury, 54 charges of second-degree promoting gambling, and fourth-degree conspiracy. 

Both entered pleas of not guilty and are set to appear in court on December 18. Prosecutors indicated that if convicted, they could face prison sentences ranging from five to 15 years. 

Other defendants include:

• Philip Carucci, 59, who’s charged with first-degree promoting gambling, first-degree possession of gambling records, and fifth-degree conspiracy.
• Frank LoNigro, 51, who’s charged with six counts of first-degree promoting gambling, one count of second-degree promoting gambling, and one count of fifth-degree conspiracy.
• Joseph Pietaro, 57. who’s charged with 50 counts of second-degree promoting gambling and one count of fifth-degree conspiracy. Pietaro is a former New York Police Department officer, Patch reported.

Each of the three suspects pleaded not guilty.

“One bettor alone owed more than $150K in debt to this alleged operation, showing the breadth of this illegal book,” Donnelly said in a statement.