OPEN SOURCE
We published this story in response to a reader question submitted through our Open Source platform. Do you have a question you want our reporters to answer? Click here to submit it.
HOWARD — Howard Hilton, LLC, of Howard, and subsequently business owner Larry Wolford were found guilty of gambling and operating a gambling house earlier this month, according to local authorities.
The case against both Wolford and his business was decided in the Mount Vernon Municipal Court case.
Attempts to reach Howard Hilton’s lawyer Brandon Crunkilton were unsuccessful.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety Investigative Unit received a complaint, claiming Howard Hilton was operating electronic gambling machines.
On March 9, two undercover agents went to the Howard Hilton and saw three electronic gambling machines where people were being paid cash for winnings, Mount Vernon Law Director Rob Broeren said.
The agents returned on March 16 and found the machines were still there.
Broeren noted the agents recorded their findings and played the machines twice — losing and winning money each.
The winnings were returned to the State of Ohio treasury.
According to the municipal court docket, $1,125.00 was paid in fines and court costs; Howard Hilton was fined $1,000.