NEW ORLEANS -- The alleged operators of a gift shop gambling operation on Bourbon Street were indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday.
Terrence Border and Mitchell Schwartz are accused of running betting games - marble games known as "Razzle Dazzle" or "Cajun Bingo" - that netted about $2,000 a day in the back of the Happy Days Gift Shop.
Several other unnamed suspects could be indicted, including at least one police officer who allegedly accepted bribes to protect the gambling business from being investigated by local authorities.
"By no means is this investigation over," U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said. "We will continue to present evidence to a grand jury."
The illegal games were uncovered during a joint FBI-state police investigation. Among those investigated was New Orleans police officer Charles Loescher, a 12-year veteran of the force. He has not been charged.
Investigators have said more than one officer may have been involved, helping the operation by trying to talk victims out of filing complaints and sometimes threatening to arrest the victims for playing illegal gambling games.
The law under which Thursday's indictments came does not cover those who play, only those who run illegal gambling operations.
Border, 62, remains in federal custody without bond. Schwartz, 92, is not currently in custody. He was arrested on separate state drug charges but has posted bond, authorities said.
There are state warrants out for several other suspects who have yet to be found, investigators said.
If convicted, Border and Schwartz each could be sentenced to as many as five years in prison and ordered to pay up to $250,000 in fines.
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Terrence Border and Mitchell Schwartz are accused of running betting games - marble games known as "Razzle Dazzle" or "Cajun Bingo" - that netted about $2,000 a day in the back of the Happy Days Gift Shop.
Several other unnamed suspects could be indicted, including at least one police officer who allegedly accepted bribes to protect the gambling business from being investigated by local authorities.
"By no means is this investigation over," U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said. "We will continue to present evidence to a grand jury."
The illegal games were uncovered during a joint FBI-state police investigation. Among those investigated was New Orleans police officer Charles Loescher, a 12-year veteran of the force. He has not been charged.
Investigators have said more than one officer may have been involved, helping the operation by trying to talk victims out of filing complaints and sometimes threatening to arrest the victims for playing illegal gambling games.
The law under which Thursday's indictments came does not cover those who play, only those who run illegal gambling operations.
Border, 62, remains in federal custody without bond. Schwartz, 92, is not currently in custody. He was arrested on separate state drug charges but has posted bond, authorities said.
There are state warrants out for several other suspects who have yet to be found, investigators said.
If convicted, Border and Schwartz each could be sentenced to as many as five years in prison and ordered to pay up to $250,000 in fines.
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