The Elk’s Lodge in Washington Court House was raided recently by state troopers amid allegations of illegal gambling.
The Ohio Investigative Unit, which is under the direction of state troopers, told the Guardian that the lodge on Main Street had a search warrant executed on Friday.
“The Ohio Investigative Unit received a complaint at this location in Washington Court House. Upon investigating the complaint the permit premise was found to be in violation of their liquor license,” said Michelle Thourot, Special Agent-in-Charge of the unit.
Inside Elk’s Lodge #129, located at 227 South Main Street, agents allegedly found a skilled gaming machine similar to a slot machine.
The employee who was bar tending that day was criminally charged with running an illegal gambling operation. However, despite the charges, the employee was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to Brad Jones, an attorney who the Guardian uses as an expert, said the employee was not likely the one who made the decisions to install the machines and likely had no idea they were illegal.
“She just happened to have been working that day when the agents came,” he said.
The state has filed criminal and civil charges against the lodge, who is in jeopardy of losing their liquor permit, if convicted.