More than $1.2 million netted in gambling sting

“We honestly were not expecting to find that much money,” Hinds said.

Hinds said five electronic gambling machines were taken from the bar during Wednesday’s search. Owner Michael Wieser faces 25 gambling-related violations. Wieser did not return calls for comment Thursday, Jan 28.

A combined $30,000 cash was seized from the other 13 area bars involved in two separate sweeps executed by local and state officials, according to Hinds.

Also cited Wednesday were The Lefferson Inn, 2908 Lefferson Road; The Lakeside Inn, 2019 Tytus Ave.; Buck’s Sports Bar and Grille, 1300 Central Ave.; Buster’s, 1819 Casper Ave.; Ye Olde Dutch Tavern, 2716 N. Verity Parkway; Third Base Cafe, 911 Crawford St.; Jenny B’s Hillbilly Heaven, 2502 Atco Ave.; Mutts Main Bar, 2703 South Main St., Monroe; Madison Inn, 101 Front St., Madison Twp.; The Blue Goose, 3008 Tytus Ave; The Brewery Inn, 3056 William Madison Road, Trenton; Mayor’s Place, 114 E. State St., Trenton; and The Hot Spot, 108 E. State St., Trenton.

Officials report 23 electronic gambling machines were taken from the 14 establishments.

Jimmy Valentine sat on one of the Lakeside Inn’s creaky wooden benches Wednesday, bathed in the neon red glow of a Budweiser sign. Neither he nor the customers filling his bar spoke about the law enforcement officials who confiscated a pair of gambling machines, $1,500 in cash, bank deposit slips and various receipts from his business less than five hours earlier.

There simply was not much to say.

Business has seen a steady decline at the Lakeside Inn during the ongoing economic downturn, as Valentine said he is constantly worried about taxes and past due bills.

A good day used to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000 for Valentine. Now he’s lucky to hit $7,000.

“I’m really struggling,” he said. “It’s getting to the point where I wake up every morning and I think, ‘Do I really want to open this place up?’ “

He has hired a lawyer who specializes in litigation related to gambling machines. And despite the unpleasant situation with officers Wednesday, Valentine said he holds no hard feelings against “guys just carrying out the message.”

“Their laws and my laws don’t seem to coincide,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or rgauthier@coxohio.com.