Oversaw more than 100 illegal machines
A White Oak man, his two sons, and daughter were convicted Monday on charges that they oversaw more than 100 illegal video poker devices in the White Oak and North Huntingdon areas for over four decades.
I am here to get it over with.”
Pleading no contest to a felony charge of operating a corrupt organization, Robert Biros, 85, told the court “I am here to get it over with.” He was sentenced by Westmoreland County Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio to serve six months on probation.
The patriarch’s three children, Andrew Biros, 54, of Greensburg, and White Oak residents John Biros, 58, and Christine Biros, 57, were each ordered to pay a $300 fine.
The family consented to surrender its gaming machines, along with $13,200 found inside the units confiscated by police, as part of the plea bargain. The family also agreed to forfeit $144,000 in cash from money seized at the Biros family residence, although prosecutors agreed to return $20,000 to the family.
“All in the family crime caper” saga ends
The Biros family’s sentencing brings the curtain down on what investigators told CBSN in 2018 was an “all in the family crime caper”. While the investigation into the Biros’ operation started in 2011, Deputy Attorney General Mark Serge pointed out: “They’ve been doing this since the 1970s. This is the black market side of it.”
As part of the deal with prosecutors, the remaining 18 counts against Biros senior were dropped, with his three children pleading guilty to summary counts of disorderly conduct in connection with the gaming business.
raked in millions of dollars in illegal profits”
According to court records, the Biros family business positioned illegal gaming devices in more than 20 bars, taverns, and social clubs in the White Oak and North Huntingdon locales.
In a statement after the family was arraigned following arrest in 2018, Attorney General Josh Shapiro spoke of ending “an illegal gaming operation run by one family for over three decades […] that raked in millions of dollars in illegal profits.”
Biros’ fingers in many Pennsylvanian pies
At Monday’s trial, Biros family associate Alfred John McCauley Jr., 65, of Pittsburgh was charged with disorderly conduct and fined $300. Prosecutors originally said McCauley was instrumental in helping the Biros with their attempted bid to open a legal casino and racetrack in Lawrence County.
As reported by CBSN at the time of the Biros’ 2018 arrest, Shapiro said owners of bars and other establishments raided by the state were instructed by the family to claim they were being intimidated by state investigators. The said owners were also asked to lie about Christine Biros’ involvement in the illegal video game machine operation.
Gambling activity in PA
While gambling is allowed by Pennsylvania legislation, the operation of unlicensed video slot and poker machines is not, although they are permitted in the state’s truck stops.
Republican senators in Pennsylvania are pushing for expanding video gaming machines into businesses that have liquor licenses. Governor Tom Wolf is opposed to the gaming machines, saying they would siphon revenue away from the state’s already ample gambling opportunities.
“The difference between these machines and those at casinos is the payouts. Vendors can adjust the odds so you never win. There is no regulation,” Deputy Attorney General Serge said.