Authorities seize $22,000 in gambling bust

Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

CLEVELAND -- Agents broke up a poker tournament at an American Legion post and seized $22,000 in cash, along with playing cards, poker chips, poker tables and gambling records, authorities said Saturday.

More than 100 people were at the post in Avon Lake, about 20 miles west of Cleveland, when authorities executed a search warrant Friday night. No one was arrested, but officials will work with prosecutors to determine if any criminal charges should be filed, said Rich Cologie, assistant agent in charge with the Ohio Investigative Unit.

"Although Texas Hold 'Em tournaments have become very popular because of television, they are prohibited under Ohio law, if all proceeds do not go to charity," said Ed Duvall Jr., deputy director of the Ohio Investigative Unit, a division of the Department of Public Safety.

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