Alleged Backgammon Cheaters Plead Not Guilty

Three of the four men susceptibly involved in the backgammon cheating at the Bogarta in Atlantic City have pleaded not guilty at the arraignment held last Monday at the Atlantic County Superior Court. The three, Las Vegas residents Joseph Ingargiola, Stephen Phillips, and the well known cheating expert Steven Forte, have been accused with a second-degree attempted theft by deception along with Minnesota man James Harrison. 

The four men were caught last month at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in an attempt to cheat the casino hotel patrons. The group was allegedly occupying two hotel rooms; in one room, the four hosted high stake backgammon, chess and Chinese poker games featuring occasional gamblers, while in the second room, the foursome hide computers and surveillance equipment, allowing them to watch the games as they are played and use chess and backgammon programs for their benefits. The four men are also suspected of playing Chinese poker with a marked deck of cards.  

According to adv. Joseph Levin, who defends Stephen Phillips (who was quoted by the Press of Atlantic City) the accusation of operating a large scale scam using computers and hidden surveillance equipment while taking over two hotel rooms at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa was completely mispercepted by the State. The fourth suspect, James Harrison, is expected to visit the court house on Thursday. The second degree charges can carry up to 10 years in state prison and a $150,000 fine.