By Christie Campbell

Staff writer

chriscam@observer-reporter.com

A new task force to fight illegal slot machines is being established by Washington County District Attorney Steven M. Toprani.

A $151,471 grant for the task force has been received from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Toprani was unable to say how much money is spent locally on illegal gambling or when someone was last prosecuted for an illegal slot machine but noted there is "somewhat of a tradition in Washington County" for such activity. He believes the task force will be kept busy.

Calling it a preventive measure, state Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, said, "There may not be any illegal slots parlors that are a problem, but this will help us address a potential problem."

White took part in a press conference Wednesday morning at Toprani's office to announce the grant. State Rep. Timothy Solobay, D-Canonburg, also attended.

Solobay said the task force will not target video gambling machines or poker machines, nor will it take any action against fraternal, service and social organizations that rely on table games to raise money for charity. Those organizations obtain licenses for small games of chance.

"This is by no means an attempt to hurt or harm those types of activities," Solobay said.

Under the program, the task force will be administered by a full-time special assistant district attorney/task force coordinator. It also will employ a county gaming detective, a part-time administrative legal assistant and a part-time student intern in conjunction with members of the local law enforcement community deputized as Toprani sees necessary.

The Illegal Slot Machine Task Force is funded by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board through its local law enforcement grant program. The annual grant comes from $5 million in the enforcement grant program. The grant originally was approved by the gaming board when John C. Pettit was district attorney.

"This is what I believe is the largest single grant that will fight the war on crime in Washington County," Toprani said, noting that it amounts to 10 percent of the district attorney's $1.5 million budget.

Toprani hopes to have the task force operating within a month. His office must go before the salary board with the proposal, he said. He said detectives will be interviewed for the task force this week.

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