Judge Arrested in Poker Raid

SOURCE : WSBTV.COM (Thanks to Frank for bringing this one to us!)

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/11610818/detail.html

Judge Arrested In Poker Raid

POSTED: 5:50 am EDT April 11, 2007
UPDATED: 5:08 pm EDT April 11, 2007

JONESBORO, Ga. -- A magistrate judge was among the dozens of people arrested at an illegal casino, the second gambling bust in suburban Atlanta this week, authorities said Wednesday.

They also said one person was charged with trying to bribe Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill, and that powder cocaine, crack cocaine and ecstasy were found on the property.

In all, 52 people were rounded up Tuesday night at the Poker Palace in Jonesboro. All have been charged with misdemeanor gambling. Wayne Reinhardt, one of the owners, has also been charged with keeping a place of gambling and possession of gambling equipment, both felonies.

The sting came after a monthlong investigation by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office vice unit. Hill said the casino -- which had a sign out front saying Poker Palace and is literally down the street from the sheriff's office -- had been operating for about two years.

"Your question is my question," Hill responded when asked how the casino could operate so close to law enforcement. "That infuriates me."

Whether those arrested knew they were breaking the law is irrelevant, he said.

"Ignorance is no excuse under the law," Hill said. "You can't walk into a courtroom and say, 'I didn't know."'

Hill said players came to the Poker Palace and were admitted by recommendation or came with someone already familiar with the establishment. Inside, they could play poker or the slot machines.

He identified the arrested Clayton County magistrate judge as Dorian Murry. Murry's bond was set at $2,500 at a first appearance hearing on Wednesday, and he remained in the Clayton County Jail Wednesday afternoon, Clayton County Sheriff's Office Maj. Michael Maddox said.

Meanwhile, another man faces a bribery charge after Hill says he was offered up to $5,000.

Hill said that before the raid, the owner of the Poker Palace, Mike Adams, and an associate, Norman Earl, invited Hill to lunch to talk to him about the Poker Palace. According to Hill, Earl offered him an envelope he said contained $500, and later upped the bribe to $5,000.

Earl has been charged with bribery. Hill said the investigation continues concerning Adams, who was present when the offer was made.

The sheriff said he hoped the timing of their request, just before the bust, was not significant.
"Let's just hope it's a coincidence," he said.

The Clayton County raid came a day after Roswell police arrested 27 people Monday night in a gambling raid there. Players had to go online and register and then receive an invitation to the game, police said.

Hill said he has no reason to believe the two operations are related.