Former casino owner faces Ban
25th September, 2008
Rene Medina once owned the Colma Casino in California but has now been banned by the General Gambling Commission after it was found he pleaded guilty to three counts of tax evasion in U.S. District Court last year. He is to be sentenced in October, but in the meantime will not be allowed to visit the casino's gaming area or card rooms.
Medina will only be allowed to enter the restaurant and gift shop of the casino he created in 1998. Rev. Jim Butler of the California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, said, "It would be easier to not have him there".
He went on to approve the decision made by the gambling commission and said "One of its charges is to maintain the integrity of the gambling operations in California,"
Current owners Rommel and Ruell are Rene's sons and manage the casino their father built on a daily basis. The brothers own 100% of the shares after Medina transferred all ownership to his son's.
Blonien, who represent Medina in Court, said, "For years, coming to the club was a form of recreation for him because he saw a lot of people that he knew and he's known for years. Because he's a convicted felon, why should he have his ability to exercise his other constitutional rights taken away from him?"
The former owner filled out false tax forms in order to avoid paying personal income tax as well as bilking more than $2.6 million in fake business expenses from the casino's income.
By Jamie
