Judge Schimelman Sentences Richard Taylor 13 years in Prison For Craps Cheating Case

Craps news

Judge Schimelman Sentences Richard Taylor 13 years in Prison For Craps Cheating Case

Mr. Richard "Mr. Casino" Taylor declared himself "the best craps player all over the world" and reiterated his innocence before he was sentenced to ten years in prison on July 24th, 2009 for masterminding a craps cheating ring that cost Foxwoods Resort Casino a total of $70,000 and damaged the careers of a dozen casino employees.

A New London Jury found Richard Taylor guilty of the charges in May 2009 of cheating, conspiracy to commit cheating in the game of craps, 1st degree larceny and conspiring to commit 1st degree larceny. It was the first significant cheating trial in the state that hosts two of the world's biggest casino facilities.

According to trial testimony, Taylor had recruited casino dealers who were willing to play gamers for late wagers, then met up with the casino dealers outside of the casino to pay

them for their participation. The craps cheating ring involved a dozen of casino employees including casino dealers and casino managers.

Taylor maintained his innocence and overwhelming confidence to the end, striding into the courtroom in his prison garments in the same manner that casino dealers testifying at the hearing had described him walking up to the craps table with huge amounts of money and female companions in his arms. He said that the former employees of Foxwoods casino were liars.

In taking his case to trial, the 43 year-old resident of Memphis, Tennessee had rejected the state's offer to place a guilty plea in exchange for a four-year prison sentence.

Taylor said that he does not need to cheat because he is a good craps player. Judge Stuart M. Schimelman called Taylor and arrogant individual and said that he will blame everyone but himself. During the whole trial, Taylor claimed that he had a winning craps system for the game of craps and did not need to cheat in the game.

Prosecutors Stephen M. Carney and David J. Smith had called an expert to refute the claims of Taylor and had set up a temporary craps table in the courtroom to demonstrate how the game is played. The case was very important to the operators of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, who were observing to see how the state handled the case and hoping a firm message will be sent to prospective casino cheaters.

The inspector general of the casino, Jeffrey DeClerk and other casino executives were happy with the result and immediately making calls to regulators in other jurisdictions. Taylor had been charged with cheating elsewhere but had never been formally convicted. Taylor plans to appeal his thirteen years sentence in prison, suspended after ten years served and 3 years probation. The judge set a $350,000 appeal bond.

Schimelman also ordered Taylor to undergo treatment for gaming addiction while on probation and stated that Taylor would be banned from casino facilities everywhere and from online gaming. Now that Taylor's case has been resolved, the state will start discussing the resolution of the cases of the former employees.

 

2009-08-06
Peter McCarthy