Oakland, Jackson County Residents Sentenced for Roles in Former Waterford Township Illegal Gambling Operation Following State Investigation
In a recent press release issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”), two Oakland County residents and one Jackson County resident were sentenced in Oakland County’s 6th Circuit court for their roles in an illegal gambling operation at the now-closed Fortune Internet Café in Waterford Township. Charges were filed June 8 following a joint investigation by the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the MGCB.
“An unregulated gaming operation offers no controls to protect the public, often targets senior citizens and low-income areas and can bring unwanted crime to a community. The Michigan Gaming Control Board and Michigan Department of Attorney General work closely to investigate and eliminate gambling enterprises operating outside of Michigan law,” said Henry Williams, Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director.
All gambling-related money and other evidence was ordered forfeited to the State of Michigan. The forfeited items included $3,022 in cash and gift cards, 32 slot-style gaming computers and two standalone slot-style gaming machines.
Judge Michael Warren presided over sentencing.
Shelly Ann Leinenger, of Pontiac pleaded guilty to one felony count of gambling operations and was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day, a $1,000 fine and $258 in fees and court costs.
Stacey Lynn Houstina, of Pontiac, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of gambling house – maintaining for gain and was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day, a $250 fine and $258 in fees and court costs.
Shannon Leigh Molina, of Jackson pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of maintaining a gambling house for gain and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days, a $500 fine and $258 in fees and court costs.
The MGCB publishes a bulletin on illegal gambling and a fact sheet on unregulated gambling machines on its website.
Michigan Gaming Control Board In-Person and Virtual Public Meeting Agenda
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB”) will hold a regular public meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the MGCB’s Cadillac Place Office, 3062 W. Grand Boulevard, Suite L-700, Detroit, 48202-6062.
The MGCB will consider recommendations regarding level 1 and 2 occupational licenses, supplier licenses, supplier license renewals, approval of new key persons, and the approval of some acknowledgements of violations among other issues.
The full agenda for the December meeting may be found here.
The meeting is open to the public, and comments from the public are welcomed and encouraged during the public comment portion of the meeting. The MGCB asks you to submit this form to MGCBweb@michigan.gov by 9:30 am Tuesday, December 13. You may also use the Q&A in the Zoom meeting to indicate you wish to speak during public comment.
The meeting will also be accessible to the public via Zoom at this link.
You may also join by telephone to listen only:
USA 636 651 3141 US Toll
USA 877 402 9753 US Toll-free
Conference code is 310845
Four Winds Casino to Host Job Fair
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s Four Winds Casinos will host a job fair at their South Bend Recruitment Center, located in Erskine Plaza at 1290 E. Ireland Road in South Bend, on Monday, Dec. 12 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm EST. The job fair, which is in support of the expansion of Four Winds South Bend, will feature on-the-spot hiring and $500 sign-on bonuses for select positions.
Applicants 18 years of age and older are encouraged to apply online before attending the job fair at fourwindscasino.com/employment and will meet representatives from Four Winds Casinos to explore opportunities in food and beverage, hotel operations, spa services and support services. Various positions include chefs, lead cooks, front desk supervisors and agents, room attendants, massage & body therapists, estheticians, nail technicians, gift shop clerks, valet greeters and attendants, limo drivers, table games dealers, security officers, surveillance operators, and various other positions as well.
Per a press release, Four Winds Casino’s philosophy is to create an environment that encourages and rewards team effort and to develop a culture that is goal-oriented, success driven, and consistently fair to employees, guests, and community members. Four Winds offers competitive starting rates from $6.25 up to $15 per hour for tipped positions and $15 per hour and up for non-tipped positions. Four Winds offers a variety of benefits for part-time and full-time positions.
The expansion of Four Winds South Bend has created 350 construction jobs to-date with 10 percent being Native American preference. The expanded casino resort will create an additional 350 to 400 new jobs once construction is complete in the first quarter of 2023 and offer 317 hotel rooms featuring 83 suites, an expanded gaming floor, a spa, convention area with a ballroom and meeting space, a cafe, an outdoor swimming pool, and terraces with spectacular views according to Four Winds Casino’s press release.