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State of Play’s TL;DR
- A Stamford, CT, employee has admitted stealing more than $177,000 in dump fees to fund a FanDuel gambling addiction.
- Man reportedly snagged around $500 a day.
A Stamford, CT, municipal employee admitted stealing $177,256 in city dump fees to fund what investigators described as a FanDuel gambling addiction.
The case puts a criminal spotlight on responsible gambling inside a regulated Connecticut online gaming market.
A report published Friday said David Bruce Johnson, 62, admitted taking the money while working as a scale house operator at Stamford’s recycling and sanitation center on Harbor View Drive. Police arrested him April 21 on a warrant, and he is expected to plead guilty at his next court appearance on Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. at Stamford Courthouse.
Johnson had worked for the city for 28 years
Officials noticed certain deposits were missing, prompting an investigation. Police determined Johnson had been taking about $500 per day from dump fees collected at the facility.
The total amount he admitted stealing was $177,256. Johnson, a 28-year city employee, faces first-degree larceny and second-degree forgery charges. He could face up to 25 years in prison, fines of up to $20,000, and restitution.
Johnson worked at the scale house at the city’s recycling and sanitation center, where residents and other users pay disposal-related charges. The fees include $6.75 per 100 pounds above a 200-pound daily allowance for passenger vehicles, $135 per ton for non-passenger vehicles, and $12 for each item containing freon.
Johnson told investigators he had “f***ed up” and planned to repay the city.
Man says money fueled online casino addiction
SCCG Media said Johnson told investigators the stolen money went toward a FanDuel Casino gambling addiction.
In Connecticut, FanDuel operates through a partnership with Mohegan Sun. The state’s online casino market is shared with DraftKings Casino under tribal compacts renegotiated in 2021. Connecticut receives 18% of online casino revenue.
Based on reporting by SCCG Media.
