Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, September 20, 2006
(ANDERSON) - Madison County and state officials think they’ve shut down the largest organized crime operation in Indiana’s history.
A massive raid by Anderson, Madison County and State Excise Police Monday led to the arrest of 68-year-old John Neal of Daleville and the shutting down of 23 bars and restaurants in Madison and Delaware Counties. Two other businesses with ties to Neal were also raided.
Neal allegedly ran a video gambling operation that placed "Cherry Master" machines in those businesses. Prosecutors allege that the business continued to flourish even as Neal served a federal money laundering sentence several years ago.
A raid of Neal's Delaware County home also turned up $1.1-million found stuffed in a wall. Thirty-nine other people also face criminal charges for their roles in the operation. Officials have already seized over $3-million and think they could confiscate another $4-million in cash and property from bank accounts and holdings in other states.
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