A former casino 21 dealer who served on the committee that tallies dealers' gratuities or "tokes" pleaded guilty Monday to taking $10,000 from her co-workers.
Michele D. Michaels said she could pay back the money she admitted taking over a six-month period from February until her arrest in August.
She pleaded guilty to grand larceny and faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine at her sentencing Jan. 8.
According to reports, Michaels was videotaped stealing the dealers' tips while counting the money in Harrah's toke room.
Prosecutor Mark Jackson said the actual amount may never be known, but the Nevada Gaming Control Board which investigated the thefts said she took $5,900 in August alone.
Michaels claimed the total was $10,000.
District Judge Michael Gibbons urged Michaels to repay the money immediately.
"That means people could get restitution before Christmas," he said.
She told Gibbons she gambled all the money away.
n A South Lake Tahoe man who admitted selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant three times was sentenced Monday to probation and ordered to complete one year in Douglas County Jail.
Robert W. Gienapp, 20, also must forfeit his mother's truck that he used in the transactions. He received a suspended three- year sentence and was placed on three years probation.
Gienapp's lawyer, Michael Roeser, said his client took responsibility for the crime. He was arrested in June.
After six months in jail, Roeser said Gienapp "has seen the error of his ways."
Gienapp said he had learned from his mistake.
"I am ready to turn my life around," he said. "I am in a position to change my ways and move on."
District Judge Michael Gibbons ordered Gibbons to complete 100 hours of community service and satisfy all outstanding warrants.
He must complete substance abuse treatment and have no contact with his co-defendant.
He is subject to random search and seizure for controlled substances and alcohol.
