The Seven Mile Casino in Chula Vista, California. Photo from Facebook
Federal authorities raided two non-Indian card clubs in southern California and charged 25 people with illegal gambling and money laundering. The U.S. Attorney's Office said the Village Club Card Room, also known as the Seven Mile Casino, and the Palomar Card Room operated as fronts for an illegal sports bookmaking operation and were used to launder an estimated $10 million. Some of the defendants also operated illegal gambling operations in rented mansions, according to the indictment. “This indictment describes a massive operation that laundered millions of dollars in illicit proceeds,” U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said in a press release. “We are committed to putting an end to any activity that enables criminals to hide illicit proceeds.” The FBI seized more than $600,000 during the raids. Some 21 people were arrested in various locations -- including an employee of the casino owned by the Barona Band of Mission Indians, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. “The FBI should be protecting us from terrorists, not from someone hoping to make an inside straight,” Craig Kolk's attorney told the paper. Non-Indian card clubs are legal in California. The Seven Mile Casino denied any wrongdoing and said it would work with the state to address any issues. "Seven Mile Casino, owned and operated by Harvey Souza and his family, have worked tirelessly for the past 70 years to build upon their great-grandfather’s legacy and comply with the evolving regulations regarding card rooms across the state," the card club said on Facebook. "As a family and as a business, they are very much invested in the community of Chula Vista and the industry. We look forward to working with the California Bureau of Gambling Control to resolve all issues." Get the Story:
California card clubs raided in massive gambling probe (AP 12/9)
FBI Raids San Diego-Area Casinos (NBC 12/9)
FBI raids 2 local card rooms tied to illegal gambling (KUSI 12/9)
2 card clubs raided, 25 indicted (The San Diego Union-Tribune 12/10)
Join the Conversation
