CasinoCityTimes.com

Home
Gaming Strategy
Featured Stories
News
Newsletter
Legal News Financial News Casino Opening and Remodeling News Gaming Industry Executives Search News Subscribe
Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter!
Related Links
SEARCH NEWS:
Search Our Archive of Gaming Articles 
 

Former Mayor Allegedly Ran Illegal Casino

18 January 2006

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the California Press-Enterprise: "Sheriff's deputies found a small casino in an upscale Running Springs home that belongs to the former mayor of Bell who has spent time in prison for an illegal gambling scheme.

"Deputies from the Twin Peaks sheriff's station were investigating an audible burglary alarm at a home in the 3000 block of Blue Bird Drive when they found a large room with gambling equipment, including seven slot machines stocked with coins, said Detective James Bergandahl.

"…Pete Werrlein, 73, built the mountain home in 1995, though his primary residence is in Huntington Beach, the detective said.

"…Werrlein spent 10½ months at a federal prison camp and six months at a halfway house for taking a secret majority ownership of a gambling business in Bell.

"…On Monday, during the sheriff's station morning briefing, deputies decided to investigate the suspected casino. A search warrant was obtained and deputies returned to the house later that day for a closer a look.

"…Deputies found slot machines, a mini roulette wheel, mini craps table, blackjack and poker tables, buckets of coins and several poker chips, Bergandahl said…"

< Gaming News