Racing Services founder says she should be acquitted

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

FARGO, N.D. -- Racing Services founder Susan Bala is asking a judge to throw out her conviction on illegal gambling charges, claiming the government did not prove its case.

A jury found Bala, 50, and her company guilty in federal court earlier this month on 12 felony counts, including money laundering. Prosecutors said Bala ran an illegal gambling parlor in south Fargo that generated about $99 million in bets.

In an appeal filed Tuesday, defense attorney Mark Beauchene said Bala should be acquitted on all counts. The government will oppose the appeal, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley said.

"This was not unexpected," Wrigley said. "These motions come as a matter of course oftentimes."

Beauchene did not immediately return a telephone message left Wednesday seeking comment.

Prosecutors said Racing Services ran the illegal gambling parlor from October 2002 to April 28, 2003, when the site was raided by federal agents. No fees or taxes were paid to the state and the parlor was not licensed through a charity as required by law, authorities said.