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SEWARD – An attorney representing the Seward Volunteer Fire Company emphasized that no members of the small fire department in Westmoreland County have been charged with any crime in connection with Texas Hold-em poker tournaments held at the company’s fire hall last year.

And an attorney representing the tournament organizer who is accused of illegally sponsoring card games for profit argued today that the state has never clearly defined what illegal gambling is, and has never stated clearly whether playing cards for money is illegal.

Greensburg attorney Jeffrey Monzo said members of the Seward fire department have cooperated fully with an investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, which is seeking more than $40,000 given to the fire department following the popular poker tournaments in 2007.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Robert Stewart says the Texas Hold-em poker tournaments are illegal gambling and it is unlawful to profit from them. The office has filed for forfeiture of the money given to the fire department as a donation by the organizer of the tournaments.

Click here to read more:
Indiana Gazette Online – Lawyer for fire company challenges state’s case

Author Contact Info: Randy Wells, Indiana Gazette

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