More than 100 people were at the Avon Lake Post 211 when agents from the Ohio Department of Saftey broke up a poker tournament there. Over $22,000 in cash was seized, along with playing cards, poker tables, chips, and gambling records.
No one was arrested, though officials are working with prosecutors to determine if any criminal charges will be filed.
Tim Swartwood Sr., the commander of American Legion Post 211, said his organization was not the target of the bust. He said the Post's hall was being rented to an organization that was putting on the gambling nights. Swartwood said his organization was paid $500 a night by the gambling night operators for use of the hall. Swartwood said he did not know the name of the organization that was putting the gambling nights on.
''It was in a person's name,'' Swartwood said of how the hall was rented.
Swartwood said an individual approached him in November of last year and inquired about renting the VFW Hall for gambling nights. Swartwood said he told the individual he'd agree to renting the hall but said first he'd have Avon Lake police check out the group. Swartwood said the organization presented ''paperwork'' with the Avon Lake police which tipped off police that all may not be right with the group.
Police told Swartwood the group ''looked a little shady,'' he said.
The Morning Journal - News - 01/16/2005 - Poker raid hits American Legion post in Avon Lake
