Aztec Ascent

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Prosecutors alleged that Pietras was stealing the funeral money to fund his gambling addiction. Law enforcement found that Pietras made more than 800 casino trips over a 14-year period.

Casino records for his player’s card suggested he lost over $1.2 million at Mohegan Sun. He’s also reported to have gambled extensively at Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.

Pietras was charged with dozens of unfair trade practices, larceny, and embezzlement counts. Prosecutors also accused him of violating health and zoning laws by living at his funeral home in Coventry.

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The campaign claims that a casino in or near Fort Wayne, the second-largest city in the Hoosier State, could create 2,000 new permanent jobs and generate more than $100 million annually in new government revenue without raising taxes.

We think education is key,” Vote Yes for Allen County Casino spokesperson Tim Haffner told WPTA. “Remove some of the mystery and some of the misinformation that, for various reasons, seems to recirculate. Our goal is to make sure people are fully informed, and when they vote in November, can make an informed decision.”

On Nov. 3, 2026, voters in Allen County will be asked, “Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in Allen County?” If a simple majority votes “yes,” Allen County would be able to compete for a commercial casino license by fielding bids and presenting the project to the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC).

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While Interior agreed that Scotts Valley met requirements regarding its modern ties to the area and the timing of the acquisition, the department ultimately concluded the tribe failed to demonstrate a sufficiently significant historical connection to the land.

In court Friday, DOJ attorney Amber Dutton-Bynum argued that Scotts Valley could not meet the high threshold for irreparable harm required to secure an injunction. She maintained that the tribe knowingly chose to invest in the Preview Casino while its gaming status remained uncertain, as reported by Law360. Dutton-Bynum added that the modular buildings could easily be repurposed for non-gaming commercial uses if the prohibition stands.

Patrick Bergin, an attorney for Scotts Valley, rejected that argument, noting the difficulty of converting a site explicitly planned and built for gaming into something like an auto dealership.