Man blames robberies on gambling habit

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GARY, Ind. -- An inmate is suing Donald Trump and his Trump Casino in Gary for $2.1 million, saying his continued gambling at the casino led him to rob two Illinois banks.

Mark Merrill, 38, alleges he sought counseling in October 1996 for his gambling addiction and requested, by certified mail, that local casinos evict or arrest him on sight as part of his rehabilitation. While at least one casino honored his request, the Trump Casino in Buffington Harbor did not, says the lawsuit.

Merrill claims the casino encouraged his gambling addiction. That encouragement, he claims, led him to rob two Illinois banks for about $22,000.

A DePaul University law professor said Trump can rest easy.

"If I held up a bank to go to the bar and drink, would the tavern be liable? No, they wouldn't," said Bruce Ottley, associate dean of the DePaul College of Law.

archive