Lawsuit: I’m Entitled to a Cut

Gambling History, Gambling Laws / Regulations: NV Gambling Law of 1931, Gambling License, Gaming History, Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Washoe County Commission (NV), It Really Happened, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Lawsuit, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Nevada Supreme Court, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Washoe County Sheriff E. Russell Trathen--Nevada, Nevada, United States2 Comments

1931 In April 1931, the month after the new, liberal gambling law went into effect (March 19), Washoe County Sheriff E. Russell Trathen, per his job description, collected $20,000 (about $330,000 today) in gambling license fees for the month of April from operators in Northern Nevada. Seeking Piece of the Pie First, Trathen went to…

Pay Up Or Blow Up — Reno/Sparks

California, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Bombings, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Extortion, Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Washoe County Commission (NV), Harolds Club (Reno, NV), Harrah's (Reno, NV), It Really Happened, John Ascuaga, Nugget Motor Lodge / Dick Graves' Nugget / John Ascuaga's Nugget (Sparks, NV), Reno--Nevada, Sparks--Nevada, United States2 Comments

1970-1971 In the summer of 1970, a package and suitcase found in a Sparks Nugget motor lodge room in Nevada with a note affixed saying to please deliver the items to Nugget owner John Ascuaga’s office. A $20 bill was attached as a tip. A few days later, Nugget manager Gil Padroli opened the package.…