Former South Pittsburg mayor charged for running gambling ring

photo Former South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian

Former South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian has been indicted in U.S. District Court on charges of running an illegal video gambling operation, sports betting ring and an "outlaw" lottery that took in more than $2,000 per day, federal documents show.

According to the indictment, filed today, Killian and some accomplices were running the operation out of his Lotto Mart convenience store in South Pittsburg.

The indictment states that he ran the sports betting operation with an unnamed accomplice referred to as "Person A," who ran the day-to-day operation.

"From in or around 2005 to in or around January 2013," Killian "conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed and owned an illegal gambling business" that involved "five or more persons who conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed or owned all or part of such business," according to the indictment.

The government is moving to seize property involved in the alleged gambling operation, some of which was seized in an FBI raid on the Lotto Mart in January.

The evidence includes 12 video gambling machines and $5,786 in chase seized from the Lotto Mart; more than $32,000 seized from Killians' wholesale fireworks business on South Cedar Avenue in South Pittsburg; and four computers seized from the fireworks business.

U.S. District Court records show a plea agreement has been filed in the case but court clerk personnel said the document is sealed.

Stay with the Times Free Press for more breaking news on Killians' charges.

Upcoming Events