A Mankato area businessman was charged with felony racketeering, theft, unlawful expenditures and submitting false tax records Friday in Blue Earth County District Court as a result of a charitable gambling and mortgage fraud investigation by state officials that spanned more than two years.
John Allin Lever Jr., 60, gambling funds manager of Minnesota Game and Fish Preservation (MGFP), is scheduled to appear in court March 5. Minnesota officials say the case represents the first time racketeering charges have been filed as a result of an incident involving charitable gambling.
Racketeering is defined as forming or running an organization to operate ongoing criminal activities; a conviction carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
"It was a pretty lengthy and involved investigation," said Doug Forsman, an investigator with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division. "Given the history [and breadth] of the offenses, the county attorney thought that charge would be appropriate."
According to the criminal complaint, Lever allegedly purchased $40,000 worth of real estate with MGFP funds without approval from the Gambling Control Board, unlawfully transferred more than $85,000 between the agency's gambling and general fund accounts, wrote checks to himself and submitted false information on the agency's tax records.
The nonprofit was formed to provide opportunities for kids to enjoy the outdoors and sold pull tabs and conducted bingo raffles at local bars.
Patrice Relerford • 612-673-4395
