Casino Petition Fraudster from Florida Found Guilty in Court
In a recent court ruling, M.G.B., a former petition worker from Gainesville, Florida, was found guilty on 13 counts of identity fraud related to her role in the failed 2021 casino gambling expansion campaign backed by Las Vegas Sands Corp.
The fraudulent activities, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, were a way to bypass the state's legislative process and turn Florida's Constitution into a playground for political gamesmanship. M.G.B. was accused of forging petition signatures during the campaign, with some signatures even belonging to deceased individuals.
Each of the 13 counts is classified as a second-degree felony under Florida law, carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. If Judge Peter Brightam were to impose the maximum penalty on all counts, M.G.B. could face as much as 195 years behind bars. However, Bautista is set to receive a minimum three-year prison sentence when she returns to court later this year.
The measure, if passed, potentially would have allowed Las Vegas Sands to enter Florida by acquiring a card room in the Jacksonville area. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, who opposed the measure, used millions of dollars to fight against it. Both sides accused each other of using dirty tactics to push through their goals.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched an investigation following suspicions about the authenticity of the petitions. It was determined that M.G.B. had submitted 191 of the 767 suspicious petitions. Many of the group's forms were deemed suspicious, and some were disqualified for being fraudulent as they included signatures from deceased individuals. Sixteen petitions were confirmed to be fraudulent, with two belonging to people who had died before the listed signing date.
In a separate incident, a 49-year-old woman from Lee County, Florida, was slapped with a 10-year prison conviction for wire fraud and money laundering in April. This fact does not directly relate to M.G.B., but it provides additional context for the case.
The Marion County Supervisor of Elections called the fraud "widespread," and the case has sparked concerns about the integrity of Florida's political process. The conviction serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in political campaigns and the consequences of breaking the law.
- The casino-and-gambling expansion campaign backed by Las Vegas Sands Corp was marred by general-news events, including crimes and justice issues, as a former petition worker was found guilty on multiple counts of identity fraud, which meant the casino could not enter Florida as planned.
- The fraudulent activities related to the casino-and-gambling expansion campaign have raised concerns about the integrity of Florida's political process, with the conviction of M.G.B. serving as a reminder that crime-and-justice issues, such as the forging of petition signatures, can have severe consequences.
