
Casino Case Far From Over, Officials Vow
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After hearing two days of testimony, Broward Circuit Court Judge Leonard Stafford said simply, 'I find no probably cause' for the seizure, then ordered the slot machines and cash returned by noon Tuesday.

Boulis supporters yelled 'Merry Christmas' at law enforcement agents as they grimly filed out of the courtroom. Boulis bused in the employees, who carried signs pleading for their jobs back three weeks before Christmas.

Boulis claimed thousands could have lost their jobs if the government did not return the slot machines and that he could have been forced to default on millions in loans. The Attorney General's Office and the Broward Sheriff's Office seized slot machines and book making equipment off six casino boats Tuesday night, including the SunCruz VI in Hollywood, the SunCruz VII in Palm Beach County, then SunCruz I in Key Largo, the Palm Beach Princess in Palm Beach Count, the New SeaEscape in Port Everglades and the Monte Carlo in Pompano Beach.

The raid followed a civil complaint by the agencies that the ships violated state gambling laws either by taking bets before they left the dock and started gambling when the ships were less than three miles out to sea.

Boulis brought the SunCruz VII down to Hollywood, his biggest market, and temporarily discontinued the Palm Beach County cruises.

Assistant proscutor LeClair put three law enforcement agents on the stand Thursday and Friday who were part of a months-long undercover investigation on the boats. An undercover Broward Sheriff's deputy wearing a black scarf around his face testified that he placed wagers of more than $500 in one day, and placed wagers of the same point spread on opposite teams for sporting events. Both are illegal acts.

A Fort Lauderdale detective who also participated in the investigation testified that he repeatedly brought a global positioning system onboard the SunCruz VI off Hollywood beach. The handheld devices uses satellites to gauge location. Using the device, the detective said he determined that gambling began 2.1, 1.8, and 2.6 miles from shore on various days.

But Boulis' lawyers mercilessly attacked the detective, calling the $250 piece of equipment 'a toy' that cannot compare to thousands of dollars worth of radar the ship captain uses to make sure he is three miles out.

On Friday, Boulis' lawyers cross-examined the third undercover officer, Mandarine whether he had a four-hour discussion with an employee at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City about the case.

'You told him you were trying to shut down Mr. Boulis because he was taking revenues away from the state of Florida, didn't you?' Zimet said.

Mandarine said he did discuss the case with the employe but denied making the statement.

Zimet also tried to show that any irregularities with the sports games o the ship would be the responsibility of the game operator, Jack of Diamonds, which Boulis contracts with to handle the sports games.

Zimet concluded by saying that the Attorney General's Office failed to show probable cause for gambling violations and a violation of the RICO act because casino boat employees 'did not knowingly or willfully violate any laws.'

'They need to establish that,' he said. But LeClair argued that even if the Jack of Diamonds operates the sports games, Boulis derives direct profit from them.

LeClair added angrily, 'Mr. Boulis said proudly yesterday, "If my casino opened within three miles of shore one time in 4,000, big deal." The big deal is it is against the law. Mr. Boulis has an obligation to get out of that line. The corporate policy of the company is to regularly and routinely operate within three miles.'

Boulis just smile.

After the judgment, Boulis lawyer Fred Haddad said it was one of the first times he got a probable cause affidavit overturned.

The lawyers, friends, customers, and a Boulis entourage - on a black Mercedes - took off to Martha's Restaurant, where the SunCruz VI docks, to celebrate.

'Justive was due today,' said John Steffey, captain of the SunCruz VI. 'Thousands of people could have lost their jobs. It would have been a drastic loss fro the state of Florida.'