US Authorities Try to Compel Testimony from Online Casino Patrons
The latest development in the expanding efforts of the US Department of Justice to attack online casinos and disrupt business for Internet gambling sites involves a significant new procedure, targeting regular US residents. An online gambling patron is being forced by prosecutors to testify against casinos with which he interacted, with jail time for contempt being wielded as a hammer against citizens.Nicholas Zicarelli has been placed in jail for contempt, according to his lawyer, Kenneth Hensley. Hensley says Zicarelli is simply a random customer of online gambling sites being investigated by federal authorities, but is being treated as a criminal suspect.
“He’s a law-abiding citizen who doesn’t want to be dragged into this investigation,” Hensley said.
Zicarelli refused to cooperate with the government, using the Fifth Amendment as a shield from testifying. But a judge granted him immunity from prosecution, removing the Fifth's protection and leaving Zicarelli open to contempt charges.
Assistant US Attorney Paul Becker says residents have to be prepared to tell the truth about their bookmakers, or face contempt proceedings. But many in Zicarelli's Kansas City area think Becker is using machine guns to hunt mosquitoes, and the question has been raised as to why Becker is not pursuing more serious crimes.
“He’s obviously let the power go to his head,” Kansas City resident Anne Bennett said of Becker to KansasCity.com. “I don’t appreciate my tax dollars going to someone with ego."
The contempt hearings mark another escalation of the US war on online casinos, with each increasing step being a more aggressive move against citizens in order to prove the dangers of online casinos. So far, the biggest dangers are of having one's money seized and oneself placed in jail, making the US government far more ominous than online gambling.
Recent Comments
| Posted by: Kartherine | When: 11/16/2009 10:48:53 PM EST |
| I like pie | |
| Posted by: Scott | When: 11/18/2009 05:07:48 PM EST |
| Isn't this whole online gambling legalization thing just the US being the bad cop? The United Kingdom has already established themselves as the good cop, because they are taxing the industry. I'd like to see members of US Congress finally get put in jail because they make so many people of this world suffer after they pass their stupid laws. US Congress wants to fight the online gambling idustry, but will they finally grant citizens the use of judges and attorneys that will prosecute against them? Yes, when we persist with this issue. I am all for less suffering, in all areas of life. | |
