Former NC mayor arrested in video poker case

11 November 2008

LELAND, North Carolina -- As reported by the Wilmington Star-News: "Former Leland Mayor Franky Thomas was arrested Friday on charges he owned and tried to sell video poker machines, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

"The county's drug enforcement unit charged Thomas with possessing, storing and attempting to sell video poker machines. He was released on the scene, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

"Thomas said the video poker machines were not working and he did not know it was illegal to sell them.

"'If I'm guilty of anything it's being ignorant of the law,' he said.

"...The arrest came after a three-month investigation which, police say, revealed Thomas had 'Pot-O-Gold' video poker machines at his 102 Riverview Drive home in Leland. He allegedly was trying to sell two machines for $10,000..."