Casino Theft

Loren G. Maxey, 33, Moscow, was formally charged Feb. 8 with money laundering, first degree theft and forgery, crimes which allegedly took place while he was employed at Zeppoz Casino in Pullman. According a report by State Gambling Commission agents, Maxey was arrested Saturday night when he arrived for work at Zeppoz.

The report said agents had already obtained a warrant for his arrest in the event he did not show up for work and they had to go to his residence in Moscow.

The report said Maxey was questioned after his arrest and admitted taking possibly $10,000 from Zeppoz between Dec. 1 and Saturday night, when he was arrested. He said he used the funds for gambling, purchasing lottery tickets and family expenses.

Maxey admitted taking between $1,400 and $2,000 from the casino the previous night, and agents said they found $746 cash in his wallet after his arrest, according to the report.

The probable charge report describes a technique in which Maxey entered the counting room and removed cash from containers for different gambling tables. It said he then filled out false gaming table inventory slips for totals which were reduced by the amount of cash he had removed. The report said he subsequently waited until everyone had left the casino and used keys to the chip trays to remove chips so the chip count would jive with the reduced amounts he had entered in the table inventory slips.

The agents' report alleged Maxey undertook the thefts when he knew a particular dealer who didn't count the chips at the end of a shift to see that the count matched the table cash slip was on duty. It alleged they subsequently questioned the dealer who admitted he failed to make the counts as required.

Maxey pleaded not guilty in superior court to the charges Friday. He has posted bail for pre-trial release. Maxey was ordered to reside at his residence in Moscow or at a designated residence in Boise if he decides to move there while awaiting trial.