MGM Detroit: Received Stolen Funds

Ahhh....the majority of 'casino' profits come from Gambling Addicts, sucking in unsuspecting 'consumers' who have never committed a crime.

Harrah's [now Caesars] determined that 90% of their profits came from 10% of their patrons.
That's Gambling Addiction! [Thank Gary Loveman for that!]

When you complete those 'Loyalty' applications, they know what you make, what you own, how much equity in your home. They are 'Financial Institutions.' 

They know if you have a credit card in your pocket with $$$$ available.

And they KNOW when you're gambling with funds that are not yours - embezzled funds or stolen funds.

Wonder when a judge will ask for the $$$$ back?

[This reveals what a scam the "Responsible Gambling Programs" are.]

Gambling addict sentenced for embezzling about $300K

Aug. 24, 2012

Written by Lisa Roose-Church

DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

A Conway Township man blamed a gambling addiction for his embezzling nearly $300,000 from a Wisconsin-based company.

Ralph Edward Staelgraeve, former director of Michigan operations for Pasta Per Trio Inc., apologized Thursday prior to learning that a judge would follow a plea deal and sentence Staelgraeve to five years of probation, with the first year spent in the county jail.

"I'm truly sorry," the 46-year-old man said. "I was wrong. I have a gambling addiction."
Staelgraeve earlier pleaded guilty to embezzling $100,000 or more from Pasta Per Trio.

Livingston County Circuit Judge Michael P. Hatty also ordered Staelgraeve to pay $297,429 in restitution; the first $15,000 was due Thursday.

Authorities said Staelgraeve spent the stolen money — which they estimated at $700,000 — on personal purchases, including spending nearly $300,000 at the MGM Grand Detroit casino.
The defense disputed the $700,000 amount.

Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Ryan said Staelgraeve submitted fraudulent expense claims to "cover" up the embezzling. He also altered and created e-mails between himself and an MGM employee, which left MGM with the impression its employee was complicit in the crime, she said.

As a result, MGM fired that employee, and the prosecutor's office initially charged him with embezzling, alleging he helped Staelgraeve with the theft.

Those charges were dropped against the MGM employee when Ryan's review of the case showed Staelgraeve's deception.

Defense attorney Robert Figa said the e-mails did not implicate the casino host. He said Staelgraeve was "contrite" about what happened, and he stressed that the stolen money "did not go into (Staelgraeve's) pockets" nor was the defendant "living large."

"It went to MGM; he has a gambling addiction," Figa said. "That's what drove this. ... It was never his intent for anything to happen to (the MGM employee)."

Hatty agreed that it was the casino who won.

The judge added: "We can't let citizens embezzle from their employers to feed a casino."


http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20120824/NEWS01/208240320/Gambling-addict-sentenced-embezzling-about-300K