'Out of Control' Gambling at Salem VFW Leads to License Suspension

At a crowded Licensing Board meeting Monday night, Det. Sgt. James Page contended that an ABCC complaint suggesting a stalled investigation into illegal gambling at the local VFW was the result of an effort by police to protect the club's manager was "absolutely not true."

"For everyone that is present, that is absolutely not true," Page said, adding that the suggestion that local police were involved in a cover-up "resonated like a cannon to me. It struck me pretty hard." 

Page assured board members that the investigation into gambling at the Witch City Post No. 1524 VFW on Derby Street began in September 2013, when he was contacted by ABCC Special Investigator Caroline Guarino-Wilichoski concerning a complaint.

Guarino-Wilichoski said the first complaint alleged that "there was a lot of car and foot traffic to the VFW and people could be seen carrying in completed football cards." 

The ABCC consented to allow Page to conduct the initial investigation, which he said "included both spot and stationary surveillance of the VFW as well as other investigative strategies." That investigation didn't pan out, Page said, because of "hurdles (officers) couldn't overcome." 

On Dec. 12, Page was again contacted by Guarino-Wilichoski and was advised of a second complaint suggesting that gambling was still taking place and local police were covering for the manager. 

Ten days later, Guarino-Wlichoski accompanied local detectives on an administrative inspection at the VFW and discovered a supply of "football cards" and score sheets as well as customers openly engaged in completing "football cards", evidence of a Super Bowl raffle and "football squares" for an upcoming Patriots game, according to the complaint.

A black backpack, several thousand dollars worth of cash and evidence of gambling seized by police during the inspection were presented to board members at Monday night's meeting.

"What was going on there was way out of control," board member Rick Lee said. "I'm disappointed in your decision-making as a club." 

Following the hearing, board members approved a three-day license suspension as punishment for the club's infractions. Two days will be served on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. The third day will be held in abeyance.