Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

A judge appointed a special prosecutor to handle the case against a former state Teamsters union president charged with operating a multi-county video gambling ring at nearly two dozen bars. Henry County Prosecutor Kit Crane will oversee the charges against John L. Neal and 38 other people charged in the operation. Madison Superior Court Judge Thomas Newman Jr. appointed Crane on Monday because Thomas Broderick, who takes office as Madison County prosecutor Jan. 1, has been Neal's attorney in an unrelated matter. Neal, 69, of Yorktown, was arrested Sept. 18 on felony charges of professional gambling, promoting professional gambling, money laundering and corrupt business influence. He was originally held on $2 million bond, but he was released after his bond was reduced to $75,000. The arrest came about 1 1/2 years after Neal's release from federal prison. He pleaded guilty in 2000 to charges of illegal gambling, money laundering and tax evasion. Neal is expected to appear in U.S. District Court on Jan. 26 to face charges he violated his federal probation. A message seeking comment was left Monday evening at the office of Neal's defense attorney, Richard Kammen. Authorities shut down 23 taverns in Madison, Delaware and Henry counties during the raids connected with Neal's arrest. Some have since been allowed to reopen.