Money crimes linked to gambling in Oklahoma

10 November 2008

MUSKOGEE COUNTY, Oklahoma -- As reported by the Muskogee Phoenix: "Embezzlement is at 'epidemic proportions,' and prosecutors agree that gambling is behind much of it.

"Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore made the statement Friday, noting district attorneys across the state have seen a noticeable increase in embezzlement and fraud.

"'The consensus is — it's the gambling factor,' he said. 'We're seeing people (defendants) in all walks of life who had not previously done any crimes.'

"The last six to eight years, there's been a 'crescendo of embezzlements,' said U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling.

"'Almost every embezzlement is driven by vice — which, for at least the last five years, has been gambling,' Sperling said.

"He said most embezzlements over half a million dollars are almost always rooted in gambling..."