Charges leveled in Stupak incident

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 | 11:12 a.m.

Misdemeanor charges were expected to be filed today against an 80-year-old man who allegedly assaulted gambling figure Bob Stupak at an upscale restaurant in August.

Chief Deputy District Attorney David Barker said R.D. Matthews will be charged with battery, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to police reports, Stupak, 58, was dining at Piero's on Convention Center Drive Aug. 25 when Matthews grabbed Stupak by the arm and said he wanted to talk to him outside.

At the same time, Benny Binion Behnen, son of Horseshoe hotel-casino owner Becky Behnen, and an unnamed man reportedly began slapping Stupak about the head and face.

Stupak's daughter, Summer Stupak, and employees of Piero's broke up the altercation.

Stupak, who has had extensive reconstructive facial surgery following a motorcycle accident several years ago, complained to the police of pain on the left side of his face.

Stupak told police he believed the incident stemmed from a dispute over $250,000 in $5,000 Horseshoe casino chips. He cashed in the chips a year ago after receiving the approval of the state Gaming Control Board although the Behnen family doesn't believe he won the chips at their casino.

Becky Behnen has said her 24-year-old son was having dinner in another room at the time of the incident.

Barker said Matthews is the only person being charged in the incident.

"I have to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, and there are so many different versions that I'm charging who I can prove" participated in the event, Barker said.