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twitterPitcher Shawn Chacon arrested on unpaid gambling debts
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 | 10:09 a.m.
Shawn Chacon pitches for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 3, 2006, in Pittsburgh.
Authorities say they have arrested former major league pitcher Shawn Chacon at a Colorado bowling alley on charges related to unpaid gambling markers in Las Vegas.
Greeley police say Chacon was arrested Monday night and booked in the Weld County Jail.
The Las Vegas Sun reported Friday that Chacon faces a felony charge in connection with three bad checks written for $50,000 to Caesars Palace in March. The Sun obtained a copy of a criminal complaint last week.
Greeley police spokesman Sgt. Joe Tymkowych said the Clark County District Attorney's office was seeking about $165,000 bail on the charge.
Chacon, who attended high school in Greeley, played for the Colorado Rockies, and he was an All-Star in 2003. He also played for the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 31-year-old Chacon is a onetime All-Star whose up-and-down career as a big league pitcher ended abruptly last year following a physical confrontation with the general manager of the Houston Astros.
Gary Thompson, a spokesman for Harrah’s Entertainment, which owns Caesars Palace, told the Sun last week the company does not comment on pending litigation.
Gambling debts are prosecuted as bad checks in Nevada.
Discussion: 19 comments so far…
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Hey Editors, check the spelling of Caesars!
Thanks, denro. The Associated Press has it misspelled in the story it sent out today about the arrest, and the misspelling didn't get changed before this story was added. It's fixed now.
Simple business matter. Right move.
Send the message that what happens in Vegas, can follow you around for a while.
We have laws, too.
Perhaps his attorney will remind Nevada that debtors prisons are illegal. (Not to defend an alleged deadbeat)
mandingo: look in the mirror.
So it looks like compulsive gambling get the better of yet another famous ex-athlete who should have just gone out to dinner, got an expensive hooker to elevate his ego instead of throwing away all that $. The real question here is who was the bozo Pit boss or casino credit manager who approved three checks of fifty thousand each? I lose four grand at the machines and I can't let alone get a marker, or even my room comped in Vegas these days.. Sheesh!
The question here is not one of tiring of the support of all these casinos Mr. Phargo, but one of tiring of consistantly losing at them, and the crappy comp treatment we compulsive gamblers are given these days. I would gladly support them if they give back a fair bet. I feel that the machines are tight tight tight, and that ain't right right right!!
Hey lcrma........
Did you actually live in the 1980's. hundreds of savings and loans went broke because they made loans that went bad and weren't repaid. (kind of like the past couple years). Also, the government at the same time raised the required cash reserves. Because the son of a U.S. President was on the board of ONE of these S&L's, you assume he pocketed all of this cash. Remember the Clinton's real estate dealings at the same time? I didn't think so. As far as the LOSER that stole the money from Harrah's, Race is NOT an issue. Ever heard of Terrance Watanabe?
Casinos regularly presecute those who fail to pay the money owed.
State Treasure Kate Marshall (Democrat) gambled away 50-million taxpayer dollars without arrest.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb...
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the wealthy should have to pay their debts - not just middle class, or the "poor". this includes Chacon. this includes Neil Bush too.
just a thought
mandingo I just love you sniveling cry babies and your discrimination arguments. The difference here is there was a WARRANT from another state for his arrest which had to be honored. Neil was a scum bag but there was never an arrest warrant. Coloreds as you put it just are not smart about committing crimes.All of those colores you mentioned asked for what they got and to compare them to Bush is ridiculous.
If this bumb had any class he would still be playing baseball but he blew that too.
It is my understanding that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but I suppose I have to moderate that thinking. I do agree, however, that someone who lays down a signature for a $50K promise and then welches has to get to the cell block. Does anyone know if they are going to book him up with the Brentwood Butcher out at Lovelock? Is this guy not pitching any more?
I would like to see a ballot measure making makers the problem of casinos, not taxpayers
Anyone care to speculate on which pro athlete lost the most in Las Vegas? My guess would be Micheal Jordan, with Wayne Gretsky's wife, Janette, a close second. I heard somewhere that a pro football player had to come clean on gambling* debts of $1.7 mill but I can't recall the man's name, and I have no idea how much the dude lost before going on credit.
*Whoops, Sorry it's GAMING. I didn't mean to offend.
In the short term, he has to pay for his debts. Long term, I just hope he gets help for his gambling addiction.
Hey! I'm colored! White....aren't we all colored?