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High Roller Sentenced for Unpaid Casino Debt12 March 2003LAS VEGAS – As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "A businessman who prosecutors say lost as much as $12 million in one day on the Las Vegas baccarat tables was placed on probation Tuesday for failing to pay his casino markers. "As part of his plea agreement, Robert Ben was ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to some of Las Vegas' most well-known casinos. "During the sentencing hearing, District Judge Donald Mosley wondered aloud how Strip casinos could have continued to give such large amounts of credit to Ben despite his massive losses. "…According to court records and officials, the Las Vegas resident retired from the Air Force, then took a small retirement and founded what would turn into a multimillion-dollar business. "He is listed in court records as a former president and executive officer of System Technology Associates, which is based in Colorado. The company provides multiple technology systems and software design applications. Clark County prosecutor Bernie Zadrowski said Ben sold the business and, as a result, "made millions." "…According to a March 2001 news release, Ben hit a $2 million jackpot while playing a $500 Triple Diamond slot machine at Caesars Palace. He also won a million-dollar prize in the 1995 Caesars Palace MAXIMUS slot tournament, and $250,000 in an Emperors Extravaganza slot tournament. "…By late 2002 and early 2003, when Ben filled out court records detailing his financial situation, the one-time millionaire listed cash at hand of just $700. "Court records indicate he was writing checks in 2001 and 2002 in order to obtain markers, credit taken out to gamble in a casino. "…Mosley gave Ben a suspended sentence of one to four years on each count and he ordered Ben to quit gambling. Should he violate the terms of the plea agreement, he could be ordered to serve the prison sentence…" |