Casino worker guilty in theft
http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/03/ … theft.html
A former Santa Ana Star Casino employee on Wednesday pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the casino, the office of U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales announced.
John Hoffman, 42, of Rio Rancho pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft by an employee of an Indian gaming establishment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office news release. His wife, Michelle Fischer, 42, named as an accomplice, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge.
Santa Ana Pueblo issued a statement following the pleas.
“Former Santa Ana Star Casino employee, John Hoffman, defrauded Santa Ana Star Casino in 2011,” the statement reads. “While our guests were not affected in any way, a highly experienced management team was brought in and uncovered the fraud and they worked closely with the Santa Ana Gaming Regulatory Commission, Santa Ana Tribal Police, and federal investigators to apprehend Mr. Hoffman. Santa Ana Star Casino does not condone nor tolerate any type of criminal behavior and/or activities from its employees and works closely with law enforcement officials to keep the gaming industry honest and fair for all of our guests.”
Hoffman was accused of embezzling money from the casino beginning in December 2010 until August 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office news release states. Hoffman, at the time, was working in the marketing department of the casino.
In pleading guilty, Hoffman admitted he abused his position at the casino by gaining access to active and inactive “Player’s Club” cards and adding money and credits to the cards without proper basis or authority, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. He then gave the cards to Fischer knowing she intended to distribute the cards to others who would use the cards to gamble. Winners would then give Hoffman and Fischer a parentage of their winnings.
Fischer, in her plea, admitted obtaining the cards though she was not entitled to them, and then distributing them to others with the understanding she’d receive a percentage of winnings, the news release reads. She also admitted using some of the cards to gamble, though she wasn’t entitled to them.
Hoffman and Fischer were released pending their sentencing hearings, which have not been scheduled.
Hoffman faces a maximum prison term of 20 years, while Fischer faces a maximum one year term. Both will be required to make restitution to Santa Ana Star Casino.
The cases were investigated by Santa Ana Tribal Police Department, and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Nayback. The guilty pleas were announced by Gonzales and Santa Ana Police Chief Harry Betz.
— This article appeared on page 21 of the Albuquerque Journal
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