Video Poker 247
- Businesses Accused of Illegal Video Poker
Brothers Jamie Henderson, 42, of Inman and Barry Henderson, 43, of
Lyman stand accused of operating illegal video poker machines at their
establishments. The brothers allegedly ran an illegal video poker
operation in fifteen counties in North Carolina, and made more than $5
million off of the illegal video poker machines.
Barry Henderson runs and owns Ezell’s Restaurant of Spartanburg –
which is considered a popular family hangout – but is now subject to
government forfeiture. Jamie Henderson owns the Time Out Family
Restaurant in Inman which has closed its doors for the time being
depending the outcome of the video poker case.
The brothers are also accused of bribing two Buncombe County sheriff’s
deputies for protection in the running of the illegal video poker
racket – those deputies have been laid off. The brothers may lose
pretty much everything at this point as they own several other
establishments, but if they are found to have been purchased with
illegal video poker money, or if illegal video poker occurred on the
premises, they will be seized and kept by the authorities.
The brothers were arrested July 31st and are bring held in North
Carolina, while the FBI seeks to recoup the $5 million that agents say
came from the illegal video poker scheme. Their attorney says that the
businesses will probably keep running until the case is solved, and
then even then they may not have to forfeit them. The jury would have
to find that the property is linked to the illegal video poker
machines.
They stand accused of conspiracy to run an illegal gambling business,
operating the illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit
money laundering. Barry is further accused of witness tampering and
obstruction of justice, and Jamie is charged with bribery. Both have
chosen to plead not guilty.
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August 2007 Archive
