Eight individuals have been slapped with racketeering charges over the alleged theft of nearly $200,000 from charitable gambling funds in Minnesota. The suspects are accused of pilfering from pull tab sales, with the intent to benefit youth sports and veteran organizations, according to a recent news release. These charges were filed in Hennepin County District Court on April 18, encompassing 44 felony counts of second-degree burglary and theft.
After tracking a series of burglaries since August 2023, agents from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGE) division marked the start of their coordinated investigation. The criminal complaints, containing suspect information, have been made publicly available online, stating that the AGE worked alongside over 20 different law enforcement agencies to piece together the scope of the theft.
The investigation led to the identification of Arron Scott King Sr. as the alleged ringleader of the criminal operation. Operating from his St. Paul residence, King is said to have orchestrated the burglaries between March 2023 and February 2024. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, tools like pry bars and sledgehammers were employed to forcefully enter establishments and raid their charitable fund safes.
The stolen funds were earmarked for various community pillars and non-profit organizations, including the American Legion and youth athletic associations. The AGE's veracity in policing the gambling scene is emphasized by their protection of the funds which were meant for the likes of the Elk River Lions Club and the Roseville Youth Hockey Association, among others.
AGE director Carla Cincotta made clear the gravity of this violation. "When you’re paying to open up a pull tab, you don’t want your money ending up in criminal hands," she said in a statement. "These alleged criminals weren’t just stealing money — they were stealing from kids, from families, from veterans and from programs that build stronger communities."
The Department of Public Safety, to which the AGE division belongs, is tasked with a wide array of responsibilities, from crime victim assistance and traffic safety to the regulation of alcohol and gambling within Minnesota. With over 2,100 employees, the department adheres to principles of education, enforcement, and prevention in its operations. The AGE in particular, beside conducting criminal investigations, also issues alcohol and gambling licenses and monitors regulatory practices.
