Breaking today: Columbia School of Public Health publishes major story on impacts of casinos and lotteries

The Columbia School of Public Health published a major national story today about the massive public health impacts of government-sponsored casinos and lotteries. Investigated by Elaine Meyer, it spotlights how predatory gambling is harming millions of Americans and the communities they live in. You can read it here on the Columbia School of Public Health website (all of the buttons to share it are on the right side of its front page.)

For much of the last twenty-five years, most in the public health community in America have been willfully silent on this issue but thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of so many of you in our movement nationally, that has been changing. Today's story is evidence of our collective efforts.

Please read the story and then share it with all of your personal social networks along with anyone you know in the health care and public health fields. And make extra certain to share it with all the public health officials in your community, county and state.

Change happens when we each do our job in making it happen. Keep pushing.

Thanks for your work.

Best,

Les

____________

Les Bernal

National Director

Stop Predatory Gambling

"End the unfairness and inequality created by government-sponsorship of casinos and lotteries."

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Gambling Addict Embezzles $713,000 From Non-Profit

Massachusetts is no different!

Bill Kearney posted in SAY "NO" TO SLOT MACHINES!

Bill Kearney 10:28am Jul 24

Massachusetts ‘Gaming’ Future

Pittsburgh - TRIBLIVE - July 23, 2013 - Former worker charged with stealing $700K from healthcare nonprofit

A former financial services manager for Allegheny Health Network spent most of the $713,000 he stole from the nonprofit at casinos to satisfy a gambling addiction, his attorney said Tuesday.

Detectives said Johnson withdrew money — sometimes more than $10,000 at a time — at several casinos, including Rivers Casino on the North Shore, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in North Strabane, Presque Isle Downs in Erie and Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in Newell, W.Va., according to the criminal complaint.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4408743-74/penn-johnson-allegheny#ixzz2ZxjU8nJK

Former worker charged with stealing $700K from healthcare nonprofit

By Bobby Kerlik

Published: Tuesday, July 23, 2013

A former financial services manager for Allegheny Health Network spent most of the $713,000 he stole from the nonprofit at casinos to satisfy a gambling addiction, his attorney said Tuesday.

Ira L. Johnson, 52, of Penn Hills pleaded guilty to 12 charges stemming from two theft cases at Allegheny Health Network. He worked as a manager of patient financial services. Common Pleas Judge Phil Ignelzi is scheduled to sentence Johnson on Oct. 23.

“He had a gambling problem, and he's getting treatment for that,” said his attorney, Milton Raiford.

 

“I think he's an ill person just as bad as any drug addiction. This is not the kind of guy you want to send to prison or jail. He's trying to work to pay it back.”

Prosecutors said Johnson funneled checks made out to Allegheny Medical Practice Network and West Penn Physician Practice Network into a PNC Bank business checking account that he opened on July 26, 2007.

Detectives said Johnson withdrew money — sometimes more than $10,000 at a time — at several casinos, including Rivers Casino on the North Shore, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in North Strabane, Presque Isle Downs in Erie and Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in Newell, W.Va., according to the criminal complaint.

 

Johnson joined Allegheny Health Network in 2006 and was fired on Nov. 8, 2011. Allegheny Health Network executives met with detectives from the district attorney's office on Jan. 4, when an employee noticed suspicious activity. The company eventually conducted an internal audit, which uncovered missing money.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4408743-74/penn-johnson-allegheny#ixzz2ZyoyqDuK
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