Gambling Security Consultant Arrested!
Here’s an odd little story from the world of casino security.
It seems that Steve Forte, a security consultant for both casinos and law enforcement agencies, was recently arrested on charges of conspiring to scam high-stakes poker games at the Borgata Casino.
BUSTED
Forte, 51, was arrested by the New Jersey State Police in a private hotel room with three other men (Joseph T. Ingargiola, Stephen Phillips, and James C. Harrison). They had in their possession high-tech equipment often used for cheating, including tiny video cameras, earpiece receivers and computer equipment.
They were charged with attempted theft by deception, computer criminal activity, use of cheating devices and conspiracy.
According to Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the New Jersey attorney general’s office, the men were targeting private poker games.
NOT THE FIRST TIME
While Forte maintains his innocence, according to friends, this is also not the first time that he’s been involved in questionable activities.
He was convicted in New Jersey of a gambling-related third-degree felony in 1990, and he also pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of trespassing at Harrah’s Casino in Reno (he was initially charged with two felony counts and pled to the lesser charge).
LEGEND IN THE BUSINESS
According to Bill Zender, a friend of Forte’s and gaming consultant, “The rest of us are small change compared to him. There is nobody out there in the industry right now that you can put on the same level.”
Forte’s website even offers a four-part video series which is “designed to help protect all those that play in private games from card and dice cheaters.”
Forte has consulted for everyone from the MGM Mirage and the Golden Nugget to Harrah’s Entertainment and Station Casinos. He has also worked with district judges, district attorneys and police departments.
His $200 book entitled “Casino Game Protection” is considered the bible of the industry, and he was even the opening speaker at the 2006 World Game Protection Conference.
His latest book, “Poker Protection: Chating…and the World of Poker,” was released in January.
It seems that Steve Forte, a security consultant for both casinos and law enforcement agencies, was recently arrested on charges of conspiring to scam high-stakes poker games at the Borgata Casino.
BUSTED
Forte, 51, was arrested by the New Jersey State Police in a private hotel room with three other men (Joseph T. Ingargiola, Stephen Phillips, and James C. Harrison). They had in their possession high-tech equipment often used for cheating, including tiny video cameras, earpiece receivers and computer equipment.
They were charged with attempted theft by deception, computer criminal activity, use of cheating devices and conspiracy.
According to Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the New Jersey attorney general’s office, the men were targeting private poker games.
NOT THE FIRST TIME
While Forte maintains his innocence, according to friends, this is also not the first time that he’s been involved in questionable activities.
He was convicted in New Jersey of a gambling-related third-degree felony in 1990, and he also pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of trespassing at Harrah’s Casino in Reno (he was initially charged with two felony counts and pled to the lesser charge).
LEGEND IN THE BUSINESS
According to Bill Zender, a friend of Forte’s and gaming consultant, “The rest of us are small change compared to him. There is nobody out there in the industry right now that you can put on the same level.”
Forte’s website even offers a four-part video series which is “designed to help protect all those that play in private games from card and dice cheaters.”
Forte has consulted for everyone from the MGM Mirage and the Golden Nugget to Harrah’s Entertainment and Station Casinos. He has also worked with district judges, district attorneys and police departments.
His $200 book entitled “Casino Game Protection” is considered the bible of the industry, and he was even the opening speaker at the 2006 World Game Protection Conference.
His latest book, “Poker Protection: Chating…and the World of Poker,” was released in January.
For more gambling articles, check out the following:
He was even a consultant on the movie Rounders starring Matt Damon and Ed Norton.
Gambling Security Consultant Arrested!
posted by Dare to Gamble
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