Former Casino Manager Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison

A former casino manager at the VIP Casino in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was sentenced on Friday to seven years in prison for stealing from the casino. The sentencing ends a legal process that began last year.

Katie Lynn Stone was sentenced to the seven years and had three years of the term suspended. Stone blamed her compulsive gambling habit for the theft, and she showed remorse for what she had done.

"I took funds that were not mine to feed my family and my addiction," said Stone, at her sentencing hearing. Her attorneys then asked the judge for leniency. The attorney asked for gambling addiction treatment instead of a lengthy prison sentence.

The judge, Patricia Riepel, was not sold on the idea that Stone really was seeking help. She pointed to the fact that Stone had left a treatment program late last year, and has not sought out another program. In addition to the prison term, the judge ordered Stone to repay the $40,000 that she stole.

"I think she realizes this is an addiction and she needs help with it," said Defense Attorney Mike Miller, "She has a lot of family support, but I think she realizes she needs professional help. Stone is thirty-one years old.

February 7, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!