Seattle Mayor's Son Pleads Not Guilty in Casino Scam Case

Thursday afternoon Jacob Nickels, the son of the Mayor of Seattle plead not guilty in a federal courtroom to charges that claim he had a part in a casino cheating ring that authorities claim stole millions of dollars across several states by bribing dealers to falsely shuffle decks of cards.

The trial is now set in this case for August 13th after Judge James Donohue released Nickels following the arraignment. Nickels' attorney Jeffrey Robinson entered the non guilty pleas on his behalf. Part of the terms of his release include abstaining from alcohol, and surrendering his passport.

The 25 year old Nickels is charged with one count of conspiracy, and four counts of theft of funds from gaming establishments on Indian land. The states case says that Nickels received $5,000 in 2005as part of the scheme while he worked as a pit boss at the Nooksack River Casino. He worked at the casino from October 29th 2003 to October 17, 2006.

The mayor, Greg Nickels and his wife issued this statement when charges were announced on May 24, "We will be encouraging him to cooperate fully with the investigation. Until we know more we will have no comment on the substance of these allegations."

The case also claims that the younger Nickels helped a patron win over $95,000 at one the casinos mini baccarat tables during the scheme.

June 14, 2007
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com    Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!