Indiana Couple Implicated in Joliet Casino Cheating Ring Jailed
Two of the five alleged casino cheats who took the Joliet Harrah's for as much as $500,000 were arrested.
Virginia Thorpe
Former LaPorte supt. now faces charges involving Illinois casinos
POSTED: 04:53 AM EDT Mar 24, 2014
Former LaPorte Schools Superintendent Rande Thorpe (Miss. booking photo)
The former superintendent of LaPorte Schools and his wife both now face several charges involving Illinois casinos.
Rande Thorpe, 57, and 59-year-old Virginia Thorpe are accused of taking part in a ring that would rig video Keno machines at a Joliet, Illinois casino.
The couple is now charged with several crimes there.
Thorpe was arrested for the same type of crime at a casino in Mississippi just before he suddenly resigned from LaPorte at the end of January.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/former-laporte-supt-now-faces-charges-involving-illinois-casinos/25130500
Former LP schools superintendent arrested
By MATT FRITZ
Staff writer
La PORTE — Two days after the La Porte Community School Board accepted a retirement request from interim superintendent Rande Thorpe, he was arrested in Mississippi on a charge related to gaming violations.
Thorpe was arrested on Jan. 22 by the Tunica County Sheriff's Department.
"We are shocked by this happening," school board president Mike Kellems said Monday. "We were made aware of some legal issues by Mr. Thorpe just prior to his request to retire, and the one thing we are confident of is it had no connection to the La Porte Community School Corporation."
On Jan. 20, board members accepted Thorpe's retirement request, citing a letter from Thorpe which referred to family health issues
Thorpe was arrested on Jan. 22 by the Tunica County Sheriff's Department.
"We are shocked by this happening," school board president Mike Kellems said Monday. "We were made aware of some legal issues by Mr. Thorpe just prior to his request to retire, and the one thing we are confident of is it had no connection to the La Porte Community School Corporation."
On Jan. 20, board members accepted Thorpe's retirement request, citing a letter from Thorpe which referred to family health issues
During the meeting, board member Mitch Feikes made reference to a sign on Thorpe's wall at La Porte Community Schools reading, "I will never do anything illegal, immoral or unethical."
He was credited with keeping the corporation in good financial standing despite state budget cuts and the county-wide tax situation, which severely cut corporation revenue.
On Monday, Kellems said the school board has little knowledge about what Thorpe's facing or what occurred.
"The only thing we knew is just prior to his request to retire there was a warrant issued for his arrest in the state of Mississippi for a gaming violation," he said.
He said he had the school board attorney contact the Mississippi attorney general's office for more information, but to no avail.
"I understand when there's an ongoing investigation they are only going to release so much," said Kellems, who is also the commander of La Porte County Jail, "and this is something I'm doing as board president, not as a law enforcer."
While confirming the arrest, representatives from the Tunica County Sheriff's Department would release no further information without a written request.
A representative from the Mississippi Gaming Commission said Thorpe's arrest is part of an ongoing investigation and the organization is not releasing any information at this time.
Kellems said the school board is now advertising for a permanent superintendent and is selecting a committee to help in the process of selecting a candidate.
An interview with a prospective interim superintendent was held Monday during an executive session of the board.
http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2014/02/04/news/local/doc52f040a1528c4216474566.txt
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