State police say they have busted up an illegal nightly poker game run from a Colonie warehouse, arresting four.
The four people were arrested after a Tuesday evening raid at 13 Warehouse Row, Colonie.
Inside, state police seized more than $10,000 in cash, along with playing cards and several cases of poker chips.
They also found an elaborate electronic surveillance system that state police say was used to watch both inside and outside of the facility.
The four men arrested each face misdemeanor counts of second-degree promoting gambling and sixth-degree conspiracy.
Charged were: Chad LeComb, 40, of 15 Seeley Drive, Albany; Zachary C. Williams, 25, of 10 Undine St., Albany; Anthony J. Scialdone, 20, of 36 Wendell Drive, Albany; and Michio Cohen, 23, of 1095 Western Ave., Albany.
Each was issued appearance tickets to return to court later.
It was Williams and Scialdone who state police believed controlled the premises each night.
An estimated 30 to 50 patrons paid admission fees to play poker games, then paid a share of each pot to the “house,” state police said.
LeComb ran the location, including advertising the business on the Internet as the “Albany Poker League Penthouse Social Club.” Dealers were offered with catered food and beverages.
Poker games become illegal, state police said, when whoever operates the game receives a profit. Admission fees or shares of the pot to the operator make such games illegal.
The investigation began after authorities received information on the games. An undercover investigator was then able to enter the club, after paying a $100 admission fee and then participated in the games to confirm the dealers were taking a cut.
The investigation is continuing, with more arrests pending.
The case was investigated by the state police Special Investigations Unit, with assistance on the raid provided by state police Troop G and the Colonie Police Department.
Categories: Schenectady County
