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Gaming Board ignored admissions of illegal gambling and tax fraud, and that came back to bite them today

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Illinois

* Tribune, 2015…

Testifying under a grant of immunity, [Vince Dublino] said he would visit each bar every week or so to count up the money and split the proceeds with the bar owners after paying off the winners under the table. He told the jury he then underreported the income on the machines on his taxes and on the tax forms he filled out for the taverns he serviced. On top of that, he told jurors he was still operating the so-called gray games at the time of his testimony, when video gambling in Illinois was still illegal.

Dublino testified that in summer 2002, an irate Sarno accosted him outside a Berwyn bar after learning the witness planned to install illegal video gambling machines in a Lyons diner that was on the mobster’s turf. […]

Dublino’s admissions of illegal gambling and tax fraud weren’t sufficient to bar him from receiving a handler’s license from the Gaming Board in 2013. The following year, the board granted him his first establishment license at his bar in Berwyn, Nonna D’s, which allows him to pocket 35 percent of the profits from each of the five machines he installed. This year, the board granted establishment licenses allowing him to install five machines each in Vinny’s Cafe and another bar he owns.

“The board’s investigation revealed no evidence that Dublino is a member of organized crime but did indicate that he cooperated with law enforcement by testifying against organized crime at the trial of Mike Sarno,” Gaming Board spokesman Paul Prezioso said in an email response to Tribune questions about Dublino’s licenses. “Mr. Dublino’s known record does not disqualify him from licensure.”

* Today…

Illinois State Police (ISP) and Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) officials announce the arrest of Vincenzo Dublino, a forty-five (45) year old man of Oak Brook, Illinois (DuPage County), who was arrested and charged with two counts of Felony Theft and one count of Forgery.

In 2017, Illinois Gaming Board Agents received information alleging Dublino was knowingly taking United States Currency from Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC (Accel), an Illinois licensed video gaming terminal operator, by submitting fraudulent documentation for reimbursement. After receiving this information, a thorough investigation ensued. As a result of the investigation, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, Illinois Gaming Board Agents arrested Dublino at his residence without incident. Dublino was arrested and charged with two counts of Felony Theft and one count of Forgery. Dublino was lodged at the DuPage County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Dublino is a licensed video gaming terminal handler for Accel, and he is also an Accel sales agent. The Gaming Board voted on December 12, 2018, to order Accel to disassociate from Dublino and to issue a disciplinary complaint to revoke Dublino’s terminal handler license. These matters are currently pending.

“The IGB takes all allegations of wrongdoing by its licensees seriously,” said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “The IGB works closely with all of its federal, state and local law enforcement partners to maintain the integrity and safety of gaming in Illinois.”

“These matters are currently pending” almost a year later? What?

* And here he is…

Hat tip: Hannah Meisel.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 3:21 pm

Comments

==“The IGB works closely with all of its federal, state and local law enforcement partners to maintain the integrity and safety of gaming in Illinois.”==

Sure they do. Just bubblin’ over with all that integrity. Here in the Crown Jewel. Oy.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 3:32 pm
Didnt this same thing happen in so illinois a decade ago. Venezia, radio shock jock/cop, Costello

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 3:32 pm
Of course, you could make the argument that he should get social equity points towards a gambling license. /s

Comment by Smalls Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 3:38 pm
Illinois is a silly state.

Comment by Unpopular Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 3:53 pm
This story would be unbelievable in any other place than Illinois.
Great job by the Gaming Board.
Glad we have more and more gambling in the State and that the Gaming Board does such a great job.

Too many tales of crime and Corruption today. Wears m

Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 4:06 pm
Back to the future - do not count out new jersey and Louisiana.

Comment by Al Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 4:17 pm
Can any Illinois agency do anything right? This is so frustrating. It’d be easier to sell a progressive tax hike if people had faith in their government. Is there any agency or body people have faith in? Not the GA, IDOC, IDHS, IDOT, DCEO…. Maybe the SOS because people like White, but even then, we’re slow to things like Real ID. So frustrating.

Comment by Shemp Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 4:21 pm
ISP should have never been put in control of IGB backgrounds and casino enforcement. Revenue agents were much better trained and equipped to handle this type of work back when it started in 1991 but didn’t have the headcount back then and nobody wanted to hire more of them. Once ISP gets in, there’s no getting them out.

Comment by Lived it ! Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 4:32 pm
Speeakin’ of folks with past…GovJunk’s racin board head…patch.com/illinois/lakeforest/rauners-racing-board-appointment-has-ties-corrupt-loan-firm

Comment by Annoin' Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 5:22 pm
Great job by Illinois State Police. Hopefully they can clean up the political and organized crime that infiltrated gambling in this state. Why did the Board license an admitted criminal to begin with?

Comment by Joe Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 5:35 pm
After almost a year of investigating and “pending” complaint matters the timing of this arrest is….interesting.

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 5:44 pm
Maybe the Pat Quinn appointed Gambling Commission members and their attorneys can answer why a mobster affiliate was given a license. And what reputable video poker company would hire this hood?

Comment by Crazy Eight Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 5:49 pm
“Gaming Board spokesman Paul Prezioso said in an email response to Tribune questions about Dublino’s licenses. “Mr. Dublino’s known record does not disqualify him from licensure.” Maybe Prezioso can explain what would disqualify one from licensure. Nice to see the troopers bail out another state agency.

Comment by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 6:08 pm
You are obviously not aware the Illinois State Police basically run the investigation/enforcement arm of the IGB. They are largely responsible for these failures.

Comment by Clueless In Illinois Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 6:20 pm
No bid deal guys, we’re the Crown Jewel. JB said so.

Comment by Cadillac Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 7:32 pm
Use to work at Joliet. The gaming board hires their own agents. They work at all the riverboats. Essentially hundred thousand dollar security guards. They wanna be the police but don’t have any arrest powers.

Comment by B-Rad Wednesday, Oct 30, 19 @ 8:17 am
So who were the seated Gaming Board Commissioners who were oblivious (wink, wink) to this. Didn’t one of them, a women and former IG, also serve on the Cook County Ethics Board.

Comment by John Reese Thursday, Oct 31, 19 @ 10:06 am