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Pocono News Section
Investigation Into Teachers' Lounge Gambling 'Dead'
Investigation Into Teachers' Lounge Gambling 'Dead' - Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 11:43PM EST
Reported by: Joe Holden
Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 @ 11:43pm EST
KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY- Allegations a Wyoming Valley West school board member ran betting pools out of a middle school teachers' lounge won't be formally investigated. And what's more, despite the claim thousands of dollars had been collected over several years' worth of gambling stints, Superintendent Chuck Suppon said his internal investigation was unable to substantiate the claims, leaving the allegations dead on arrival. Suppon said the activity was unacceptable and had no place in a school setting.
Suppon and other school leaders last month promised the investigation would be turned over to police. But police would turn the case down. Kingston Mayor James Haggarty told Eyewitness News in an extensive interview on Friday that the matter was a school issue. School officials on Wednesday night disagreed. Without an official investigation having ever been conducted, it's unclear if the accusations were credible. The school district confiscated $45 and a board. Sources said the pool was in its infancy.
District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said if there was illegal gambling and local authorities investigated and brought charges, her office would prosecute. Pa. State Police maintain a special division responsible for investigating reports of illegal gambling. Calls to a police lieutenant at the Wyoming Barracks on Friday were not returned.
Suppon said his office issued an explicit memo detailing what activities will not be tolerated on school property. He assured Eyewitness News there was no more betting on school property. | |
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