Bibb County prosecutors have hired an outside specialist to handle the criminal and civil cases associated with the county’s largest commercial gambling raid.

Atlanta-based lawyer Michael G. Lambros has handled similar cases in other Georgia counties, including Houston County, said District Attorney David Cooke at a Thursday news conference. Lambros will be paid an hourly rate.

The Telegraph first reported online Wednesday that prosecutors filed a civil complaint in Bibb County Superior Court asking a judge to force the owners of the 10 stores involved in the raid to forfeit money, cars and property either used in alleged violations of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or that they received as a benefit from the violations.

Cooke said Wednesday that the case could involve hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Navpreet Kaur, 38, surrendered to authorities Thursday afternoon and was charged with violating the Georgia RICO Act, evading reporting requirements and three counts of commercial gambling. Her bond is set at $39,500, according to jail records.

Shuken Patel, 29, also surrendered Thursday and was charged with violating Georgia’s RICO Act, two counts of commercial gambling and one count of evading reporting requirements, according to a news release.

The following were arrested Wednesday but have been released on bond:

• Hardeep Kaur, 67, was charged with one count of commercial gambling;

• Harpreet Kaur, 40, was charged with one count of violating the Georgia RICO Act, three counts of commercial gambling and one count of evading reporting requirements;

• Krunal Patel, 38, was charged with one count of violating the Georgia RICO Act, four counts of commercial gambling and one count of evading reporting requirements; and

• Vinod J. Patel, 46, was charged with one count of commercial gambling.

A judge ordered Wednesday that the assets listed in the prosecutors’ complaint be frozen while the civil and criminal proceedings are pending. She also appointed a court-appointed lawyer to oversee the management of the assets.

The civil complaint alleges Krunal Patel, Harpreet Kaur, Navpreet Kaur and Shuken Patel worked together to place gambling machines at legitimate businesses as a front for illegal gambling. They also are accused of submitting false state tax returns that included underreported tax income.

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2014/11/06/3409383 … rylink=cpy

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