Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Businessman gets 7 years for illegal video poker ring

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A Johnston County man with connections to state politicians was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison and will forfeit $5 million for running an illegal gambling business.

David "Ricky" Godwin, 57, of Kenly was sentenced for crimes uncovered in an ongoing federal and state investigation of illegal video poker operations. The probe previously led to the conviction of former state Transportation Secretary Garland B. Garrett Jr., his son, and the family business, Cape Fear Music Co. in Wilmington.

Godwin and his son, David "Ricky" Godwin Jr., 34, of Selma, ran one of the largest illegal video poker rings in North Carolina between 1998 and 2002, federal prosecutors said. The business leased more than 300 of the gambling machines in more than 20 locations, mostly country stores and restaurants, prosecutors said.

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