GAMBLING raid suspects will return to court Sept. 9

Thirteen individuals charged in a Maple Park gambling raid went to court Friday and Saturday for a status hearing and to schedule their next court date. The 13 individuals, which included Police Chief Chet Morris and Village President Mark Delaney, were arrested and charged following a May 28 raid that uncovered video slot machines illegally rigged to provide cash payouts, a book-making operation, a spin-the-wheel lottery and other forms of illegal gambling at DJ's Tavern in Maple Park. All of the accused are scheduled to return to court Thursday, Sept. 9, at 9 a.m., except for Morris. He was officially arraigned, advised of charges and plead not guilty. He returned to court July 28 for a status hearing based on the request of his attorney, Terry Ekl, to "keep things moving." Attempts to reach Ekl Wednesday were unsuccessful. Although all of the accused are scheduled to return for additional status hearings, some may soon need to seek new representation. Attorney Thomas Breen, of Chicago, is representing seven of the accused and said at the hearing that although he intends to continue representation of all seven through their initial discovery hearings, he has advised his clients that he may limit representation based on a conflict of interest. The Assistant Attorney General, Abigail Abraham, who is representing the state, informed Breen that his clients may be talking with police or others outside of his advisement, which would cause a conflict of interest. The additional status hearings will allow the prosecution an opportunity to provide the defense with any additional evidence. At the July hearing, Abraham provided the defense with CDs that she said contain some evidence of police reports and subpoenaed documents. She has also turned over tapes, which she said contain the voices of several of the accused speaking with undercover officers during the investigation. Abraham said that although the tapes are not the main piece of evidence, they will help corroborate the undercover police officer's testimony and confirm their police reports. After the hearing, Abraham said the evidence, or discovery, is extensive and that it is still being reviewed. She also said she does not feel that people understand the severity of the case. "Although I can't discuss the specifics or our strategy, I can say this is a substantial case," Abraham said. "It was not a small operation, there was an astonishing amount of money, considering the size of the town, it was really remarkable."