Men Charged With Running Illegal Bingo Operation

February 23, 2016

Two area men have been charged with money laundering and illegal gambling in their bingo operation.

Larry L. Masino, 65, of Santa Rosa County, and Dixie L. Masino, 63, of Escambia County, were arraigned Monday in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging them with wire fraud conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering.

vThe indictment alleges that, between 2006 and 2015, Larry and Dixie Masino conspired to defraud local charities out of millions of dollars. The Masinos operated Racetrack Bingo Inc. in  Fort Walton Beach on behalf of a number of charitable organizations.

According to the indictment, Racetrack Bingo Inc. was an illegal gambling business in violation of Florida law because the Masinos compensated themselves and their employees, instead of using bona fide charity members, to run bingo games. The indictment further alleges that the  Masinos charged the charities grossly inflated lease fees. By law, those proceeds should have  gone to the charities. The indictment also alleges that Larry and Dixie Masino conspired to  launder more than $5.8 million in proceeds of their illegal bingo operation through the deposit of  profit distribution checks from Racetrack Bingo Inc.

The trial is scheduled for April 18, 2016.

Comments

One Response to “Men Charged With Running Illegal Bingo Operation”

  1. Mike on February 23rd, 2016 1:16 pm

    To the tennis court prison! :D

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News