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Bowling alley owner admits to money laundering charge

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By Nancy Bowman, Staff Writer 6:40 PM Tuesday, July 28, 2009

TROY — The owner of Brel Aire Bowling Lanes near Piqua pleaded no contest to a felony charge of attempted money laundering and agreed to forfeit about $50,000 state and local authorities seized in a gambling raid.

Martin Maxwell, 59, of Ohio 589, Fletcher, was found guilty Monday, July 27, in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

He also was charged with misdemeanor gambling following the execution of a search warrant April 29 by the Ohio Investigative Unit and sheriff’s deputies, who confiscated the cash and nine gambling machines from the bowling alley in the 8000 block of County Road 25A.

“The gambling operation and the handling of proceeds was the basis for the felony,” county Prosecutor Gary Nasal said Tuesday. The investigation began weeks earlier when the OIU received a complaint about alleged gambling at the bowling alley.

As part of a plea deal, Maxwell admitted to both charges. In June, he was fined $1,000 for his guilty plea in Municipal Court to a gambling charge.

While he could face up to 18 months in prison when sentenced Sept. 21, prosecutors will recommend no prison time, a year of community control and 200 hours of community service, according to papers filed with the case.

With the plea, they agreed to release liens on the bowling alley property and to not seek forfeiture of the property.

The cash seized will be forfeited to the law enforcement trust funds of the OIU, sheriff’s department and the prosecutor’s office, Nasal said.

Maxwell remains free on a recognizance bond.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2292 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Sweet deal for Maxwell. Did he apologize to the community for embarrassing his family, friends, church......? Did he do the teary bit? He got off easy. No wonder there is so much crime. There is no real consequence.

Jab
10:31 PM, 7/28/2009

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This looks like a slap on the wrist- if that. He will be back in the community with no real consequence. He just lost money that really wasn't his in the first place. Sorry case.

J
10:26 PM, 7/28/2009

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lame

your tax dollers at werk?
9:56 PM, 7/28/2009

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Sounds like a real hard-core threat to society, he does. [sigh]

Erik
9:51 PM, 7/28/2009

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"The cash seized will be forfeited to the law enforcement trust funds of the OIU, sheriff’s department and the prosecutor’s office, Nasal said."

Wheee! New Dare Cars with spinners!

There should be a community fund administered by a legitimate foundation to distribute the funds to the public (Troy Foundation?). After all, "we" were the victims.

victim
8:41 PM, 7/28/2009

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