Trial of magistrate accused in video poker scheme begins

Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 | 4:23 a.m.

District Justice Donald Amati, 46, of Donora, and his girlfriend, Debra Vlanich, 49, of Monongahela, were indicted in April on charges on gambling, conspiracy and obstructing law enforcement.

Federal prosecutors said Amati earned about $10,000 in proceeds from a gambling operation in Finleyville, about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh.

A grand jury said Amati ran poker machines in 1998 and 1999 at a coffee shop and had the devices removed when he learned state police were investigating illegal gambling in the Monongahaela Valley.

Amati has been a district justice since 1988 in Carroll, Donora, Monongahela and New Eagle. He has been suspended with pay since for nearly two years while under investigation.

U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond is presiding over the case.

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