The Cincinnati Enquirer

YOUNGSTOWN - Nine of 13 defendants were found guilty Monday in a federal trial over instant bingo proceeds that were supposed to go to charity but were kept by the gambling operators.

Chester "Chet" Simons, of Akron, the lead defendant in the case, was convicted of 73 counts, including operating an illegal gambling business, conspiracy and numerous charges of money laundering.

The case began in February 2002 with raids on 127 instant-bingo businesses. More than 500 law enforcement officers throughout northeast Ohio conducted the raids and confiscated more than $1 million in cash and numerous slot machine-style instant-bingo games, most of which were in Summit County.

The jury reached its verdict during its fourth day of deliberations as the trial began its fifth week before U.S. District Judge Peter Economus.

U.S. Attorney Robert Bulford said each of the counts carries a maximum penalty of either five or 10 years in prison. He expects those convicted to receive sentences of two or three years. No sentencing date has been set.

Simons' attorney, Don Malarcik, said his client raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities. He said Simons may appeal.

Simons and others were accused of setting up sham charities or taking over legitimate charities so it would appear their gambling operations were legitimate.

Man pleads not guilty in firefighter's death

LEXINGTON - The man charged with killing his wife and a Lexington firefighter pleaded not guilty Monday in Fayette County District Court.

District Judge Kevin Horne ordered Patrick Hutchinson, 45, to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Horne set a March 26 date for a preliminary hearing.

Hutchinson is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Lexington police said Hutchinson shot and killed his wife, Fontaine Hutchinson, Friday afternoon, then shot and killed Lexington Fire Lt. Brenda Cowan as Cowan tried to assist Fontaine Hutchinson. Another firefighter, Jim Sandford, also was shot, but survived. Patrick Hutchinson surrendered after a six-hour standoff with Lexington police.

Environmentalists, loggers oppose route

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Loggers and environmentalists are joining in opposition to the new-terrain route for extending Interstate 69.

Environmental and logging industry groups, who sometimes find themselves disagreeing on policies such as logging the Hoosier National Forest, recently signed a joint letter to Gov. Joe Kernan opposing the route for I-69 preferred by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

In the letter, three environmental organizations and logging industry groups jointly opposed the state's selection of a new terrain route as the preferred extension of I-69 through southwest Indiana.

That route would destroy an estimated 1,150 acres of forest land, according to the state's environmental impact statement.

The letter cited the loss of the forest as detrimental to both the forest products industry - the state's fifth largest industry, according to the letter - and 124 species of animals that use Indiana forest for breeding.