Michigan: Crime and Corruption

Michigan Bar Owner Arraigned On Ten Gambling Charges

Add Michigan to the growing list of states who has law enforcement cracking down on illegal gambling operations. This past week, Craig Hatch was arraigned on ten counts relating to an illegal gambling operation in the state.

Hatch owns ten bars in Michigan, and authorities are alleging that the bar owner had illegal gambling machines at his bars. The investigation concluded that Hatch had run the operation from March of 2006 to November of 2007. Hatch has been charged with ten counts of operating a casino without a license.

During the sting operation, authorities seized gaming machines and arrested thirty-five defendants from the ten bars. The thirty-five people have all been charged for their roles in the operation that had Hatch paying cash winnings out to gamblers. The prosecutors also contend that Hatch took precautions to ensure the police could not detect his illegal activity.

Michigan becomes the latest state to try and keep all of the gaming revenue flowing into their licensed casinos. Since casinos have been popping up all across the US, authorities have made sure to seek out and shut down any illegal operations. In most cases, the operations are being run out of convenience stores or bars.

Another popular form of gambling that is being closely watched by authorities is Internet cafes. Several cafes have been busted in recent months, with owners of the establishments selling phone time on credit-type cards, then allowing the purchaser to go online and play a series of slot-like games.

If convicted under Michigan law, Hatch could face a lengthy jail sentence. The maximum penalty for Hatch could be ten years and a $100,000 fine for each offense. The bars that Hatch owns are located in the Flint area of the state.