The owner of Spinners, Stephen S. Cline, pleaded guilty yesterday to charges relating to the operation of an illegal casino.
Attorney Brad Koffel of Koffel Brininger Nesbitt represented Stephen S. Cline, owner of Pickaway County Skilled Gaming LLC aka “Spinners”, as he faced charges relating to the operation of an illegal casino. Yesterday, Cline pleaded guilty in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court.
The Investigation
In August 2015, Cline was charged after police received some complaints that Spinners had slot machines that yielded cash to winners. In Ohio, cash-prize slot machines are illegal. These accusations prompted a police investigation where police seized various machines, documentation, and money.
The Charges
Cline pleaded guilty to two charges:
- Money Laundering
- Operation of an Illegal Casino
Money laundering is a third degree felony and operating an illegal casino is a fifth degree felony in the state of Ohio. Cline was not the only one charged in relation to this case initially, but charges against other individuals supposed to have been involved in the case have been dismissed.
The Sentence
The judge ordered a presentence investigation in this case. Money laundering carries a maximum three years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, while pleading guilty to the illegal casino charge means he could face up to one year in prison with a $2,000 fine. That’s four years’ total imprisonment and $12,000 in fines at most. Cline has already forfeited $160,000 in cash along with two vehicles.
You can read more about this case in the Circleville Herald and Pickaway News Journal: