November 11, 2008
Man gets probation in gambling ring role
A state liquor inspector was placed on three years' probation Monday in federal court in Beckley for his role in a McDowell County gambling ring run out of a Welch pharmacy.
The Charleston Gazette
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A state liquor inspector was placed on three years' probation Monday in federal court in Beckley for his role in a McDowell County gambling ring run out of a Welch pharmacy.
Jimmy Kemal Hazemey, of Welch, pleaded guilty to one count of income tax evasion in June. Hazemey acknowledged that he failed to report more than $64,000 in income from sports betting in 2004, resulting in more than $15,000 of unpaid taxes.
U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston also imposed a $1,000 fine. Court records indicate that Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter Smith asked the judge to impose a lighter sentence because Hazemey had provided substantial assistance to government investigators.
Federal sentencing guidelines recommend between four and 10 months in prison for Hazemey.
Saad Kamil Deeb, a Welch pharmacist and longtime friend of Hazemey's, admitted that he conducted illegal bank transactions to hide the hundreds of thousands of dollars he bet on sports from the government. Deeb was placed on five years' probation in August, with the first year to be spent on home confinement.  |