Federal authorities announced charges against eight people accused of stealing more than $5 million in cash from the casino owned by the
Miccosukee Tribe.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, four former employees of the
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming stole the money by tampering with electronic machines at the facility. They were identified in a
press release as Michel Aleu, 41; Lester Lavin, 43; Yohander Jorrin Melhen, 42; and Leonard Betancourt, 46.
The other defendants aided in the scheme and benefited from it, according to federal prosecutors. They were identified as Maria Del Pilar Aleu, 39; Anisleydi Vergel Hermida, 30; Milagros Marile Acosta Torres, 33; and Yusmary Shirley Duran, 40.
Together, the eight defendants face a total of
63 charges of computer fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and making false statements to law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in highlighting a criminal enterprise that ran from January 2011 through March 2015.
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is a Class II gaming facility. It offers bingo and electronic versions of bingo.
Read More on the Story
Former Miccosukee casino workers charged with ripping off $5 million from gaming machines
(The Miami Herald August 7, 2019)
Feds look to seize properties tied to Miccosukee embezzlement scheme
(The Real Deal August 7, 2019)
8 Charged in Florida With $5M Theft From Miccosukee Casino
(NBC News August 7, 2019)
8 people accused of embezzlement, laundering money from Miccosukee Casino (WPLG August 7, 2019)
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