Three Wake County companies pleaded guilty this week to operating illegal gambling convenience stores. Companies involved in this include; EHM Enterprises Inc. Lake Wheeler Grocery and Hardware Inc., and Ram and Raj Inc. Each of these companies has a representative or president of the companies admit to federal charges in court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Exum Jr. said the investigation revealed that video poker machines existed in several stores in Garner and Fuquay-Varina. During the past three years, video poker players were illegally given cash payouts, undercover agents discovered.
Though prosecutors and defense lawyers had agreed that the companies would pay fines such as; $10,000 in one case. U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle believes the others should have another punishment. Boyle instead ordered probation until the investigation is over. The sentencings for this have not yet been made. |
