Gambler Plays Poker to Avoid Prison

Prosecutors have worked out an unusual deal with a Albuquerque stockbroker who admitted to stealing from clients to support a gambling habit. Samuel McMaster, Jr. will have his sentencing delayed six months so he can enter poker tournaments and try to win the money back. From the article: "He must make payments of $7,500 a month. If he misses two payments he will face immediate sentencing of up to 12 years in prison."

Crime still there

[Anomalyx]

Regardless of whether he can pay the money back or not, he still stole from clients. Even if he gives them twice what he stole, he's still guilty of a crime. I don't even need to say a word about the delayed sentencing. It's just bizarre.

Re:

[cfulton]

But, man maybe with just one more roll or the dice he can pay off all those innocent victims, rite the widows and orphans fund a nice check, put a little back for retirement and save the world. Or, more likely just lose even more of somebody else's money. Just one more roll. Come on baby just one more roll.

Stockbroker?

[flaming error]

> stockbroker who admitted to stealing from
> clients to support a gambling habit

Doesn't every stockbroker gamble with their clients' money?

I love the idea of making them return it all. Beats taxing the rest of us to house them in Club Fed.