Miccosukee Casino In Miami
The Miccosukee Resort and Casino can give guests a variety of experiences from a quick trip to the tables, to a complete vacation filled with gambling, and exciting nightlife, golf getaways, cultural and historical information, special events and all of that capped with a relaxing night in one of the casino’s luxury suites. Located in the heart of the Everglades, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is home to South Florida’s original gaming and all-around entertainment emporium. With non-stop gaming thrills and the highest payouts in town, there is something for everyone. Come for the gaming, stay for the fun!
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Eight Miami-Dade County residents could face 20-year prison sentences each after pleading guilty to computer fraud and an embezzlement scheme to steal millions from Miccosukee Resort & Gaming.
Federal authorities say four of the defendants, Michel Aleu, Lester Lavin, Yohander Jorrin Melhen, and Leonardo Betancourt, were all former employees and licensees of Miccosukee Gaming.
They pled guilty and were convicted of conspiracy to steal funds from Miccosukee Gaming, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.
Their respective wives, Maria Del Pilar, Anisleydi Vergel Hermida, and Milagros Marile Acosta Torres, pled guilty and stand convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering offenses.
Here is how federal officials say the scheme operated:
The male defendants worked in the video game department at the Miccosukee Casino. They tampered with the computers in electronic gaming machines, causing those machines to generate false and fraudulent credit vouchers or tickets.
The men enlisted other conspirators to exchange the vouchers for cash at ATMs located on the casino floor, at floor cashiers, or the casino treasury.
Miccosukee Casino In Miami
Casino records indicate that the defendants and their co-conspirators stole approximately $5.2 million in cash from Miccosukee Gaming.
Federal officials say the defendants used the stolen money to purchase and maintain residences and investment properties, purchase vehicles, vessels, and Florida Prepaid College Plans for their children, and to pay for travel and household expenses.
Each defendant, now awaiting sentencing, faces a maximum term of 20 years’ imprisonment for money laundering conspiracy.
Feds also say Michel Aleu, Lavin, Jorrin Melhen, and Betancourt face five years on their convictions for conspiracy to steal.
The Miccosukee Tribe announced Saturday night it would be reopening its casino after being closed for over a month because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, 500 SW 177th Ave., will be reopening its doors at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. After Sunday, the casino will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The resort temporary closed in mid-March after Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he reached out to the casino about closing its doors. The Miccosukee tribe is a sovereign nation and is based on a federally designated reservation deep in the Everglades in West Miami-Dade.
Those wishing to enter the casino must be over 21, wear a mask at all times and have their temperature taken before entering. Only 500 people will be allowed in the resort, and there will be only one entrance and exit. Smoking will also not be allowed except for in designated areas.
Miccosukee Casino Resort Miami
Guests must also wipe down each machine after each use. Disinfecting wipe dispensers have been installed throughout the resort.
While some areas of the resort will reopen, these facilities will remained closed: hotel, valet services, bingo poker, Empeeke Aaweeke International Buffet, Bravo Bravissimo, Café Hammock, Cypress Lounge, Martini Bar, Pa-Hay Okee Salon & Spa, Club Egret and the teen arcade.
Miccosukee said all employees returning to work have tested negative for COVID-19 and are being trained on how to prevent it.
The Seminole Tribe told the Miami Herald there are no confirmed dates yet for the reopening of their casinos. Miami-Dade and Broward counties have excluded casinos and hotels from being allowed to reopen on Monday.
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