Bar operators charged with gambling
The operators of two Charleroi bars raided last month by the Washington County District Attorney’s gaming task force, as well as the establishments, were charged with gambling-related crimes this week.
John David Merlo, 83, of Rockwood, and the bar he operates, the Myford Hotel, 700-702 Fallowfield Ave., and Christopher J. Thorpe, 42, of 106 Blythe Ave., Charleroi, and the bar he operates, MD Bar, 731 McKean Ave., had criminal complaints filed against them Tuesday by Detective Kirk Hessler at the office of District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Charges against all include having gambling devices, allowing gambling, being a corrupt organization and dealing in proceeds of gambling.
The investigation into activity at the Myford Hotel and MD Bar began last April. Gaming task force detectives said they found three video slot machines at Myford and four at MD. The detectives started playing the machines at each bar, and when one of them “hit,” they allegedly were paid their winnings by a bartender. Detectives also played the machines at MD in May and were again paid by the bartenders, and they were at the bar in September when they saw a patron playing the machines get paid, according to the criminal complaints.
Agents for the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement went to the Myford Sept. 12 and removed the machines.
When gaming task force detectives returned to the Myford Jan. 23, they said two floor-model video machines were in the spots vacated by the machines seized by the LCE.
Again, the detectives said they asked for payment when they won but were told the bar did not pay on the machines. A patron told the detectives that the bartender would not pay unless she knew the players because she was “busted for machines.”
Detectives said they found new machines at MD in January and were paid for their winnings, then played the machines at Myford in February and were paid.
On Feb. 14, the new machines at Myford and five machines from MD were seized by the task force. Hessler said the machines from both establishments were equipped with external knockoff devices and internal accounting to keep track of money won.
Preliminary hearings are set for March 27 before Hopkins.