A judge in Portsmouth condemns the slow pace of prosecution in the Rivers Casino embezzlement trial.
Judge Douglas Ottinger expressed his irritation towards state prosecutors for their seeming inability to get ready with their case against two individuals accused of embezzling money from Rivers Casino in Portsmouth.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened its doors to the public on January 23, 2023, and it was the first permanent casino to be licensed in the Commonwealth.
After the casino, owned and operated by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming, welcomed its first visitors, management detected an embezzlement scheme involving two of its newly hired employees. The security of the casino allegedly spotted workers Marcus Baker, 36, and Joshua Thompson, 29, stealing money from the establishment. Baker and Thompson, as per state prosecutors, were working in the casino's count room where large sums of cash are counted and reported.
According to law enforcement, the investigation revealed that during their shifts, Baker and Thompson took some of the cash. Court records indicate that prosecutors believe the duo stole approximately $14,000 from the casino.
The state filed charges against both individuals in July, with each charged with one felony count for embezzlement of funds worth more than $1,000.
Frustrated Judicial Official
At a preliminary hearing on Wednesday for Baker and Thompson's joint trial in Portsmouth General District Court, attorney Lynette Hill, who represents the state in the Portsmouth Circuit Court, informed Ottinger about the commonwealth's difficulties in compiling witnesses.
Ottinger received a letter from one of the state's witnesses, stating she was afraid to testify in the case. She noted that her phone calls to Hill went unanswered.
"You have to do better than this," Ottinger told Hill, as reported by WAVY News. "This blows my mind as a former prosecutor. Don't you have investigators?"
Ottinger shared his incredulity at Hill's shortcomings.
"We know where the witnesses are. It's just two exits down the highway from here," the judge noted.
Hill is a deputy attorney in Portsmouth Commonwealth Attorney Stephanie Morales' office. Morales issued a statement in response to Ottinger's words following the hearing.
"This office has very clear instructions for attorneys and support staff regarding communication with witnesses in all cases. Numerous attempts were made to reach the witness, but they were unsuccessful. However, our efforts continue," the statement read.
"This office remains committed to prioritizing justice by holding individuals responsible while protecting witnesses and ensuring the safety of our citizens," the release concluded.
Case Delayed
Judge Ottinger is allowing Portsmouth prosecutors two months to line up their witnesses against Baker and Thompson. The next preliminary hearing for the lawsuits has been rescheduled for January 5, 2024.
Baker and Thompson were both released on their personal recognizance.
Since its opening in January, Rivers Casino Portsmouth has earned $183.7 million from gamblers. As of September 30, the casino operated 1,461 slot machines and 81 table games. Rivers also features a BetRivers Sportsbook.
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Source: www.casino.org
