ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 2, 2007) - Agents for Comptroller Peter Franchot, along with members of the Baltimore City Police Department, raided an area bowling alley last night uncovering an illegal gaming operation and unlawful liquor sales.

At 8:15 p.m., agents and police raided Charm City Duckpin Lanes, located at 3540 South Hanover Street in Baltimore City. Law enforcement officials found eight illegal gaming devices as well as unlawful alcohol consumption occurring on the premise.

"The Comptroller's Office is serious about going after illegal sales and gaming in Maryland. Working with our partners in Baltimore City, we are sending a message that unlawful activity will not be tolerated," said Comptroller Franchot.

During the raid, Baltimore City Police forcibly opened the gaming machines and seized $2,754 in cash. An additional $676 was seized from other areas of the business. Officials also confiscated pay out slips indicating cash payments had been made to players along with the machine's internal circuitry and power units.

Unlawful alcoholic beverages were also discovered on the premises and later seized. Officials report that the beverages were brought in by those visiting the business, which had failed to register with the Baltimore City Liquor Board as a "Bottle Club" and was operating illegally. This violation is also a misdemeanor, but one that carries a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years.

Yesterday's raid resulted from intelligence gathered at a bust last week involving the confiscation of illegal alcohol. Agents found the business selling alcohol to patrons although it was not legally licensed through the city's liquor board. Over 900 containers of beer were seized along with two half kegs, and two quarter kegs of beer. During the incident, Comptroller's agents and officers from Baltimore City observed several video poker machines that appeared to be in violation of gaming laws.

Charm City's manager, Glen Curtis Hendricks, Jr., 49, faces numerous charges including: two counts of suffering the sale of alcoholic beverages without the required license, three counts of illegally possessing alcoholic beverages for purpose of sale, unlawfully doing business without a trader's license and unlawfully doing business without a restaurant license. All charges are misdemeanors and the penalties include: $1,000 fine and/or two years imprisonment per count for charge one, a $1,000 fine and/or two years imprisonment per each count for charge two, a $300 fine or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days for charge three and a $300 fine or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days for the fourth charge. Baltimore City will be filing separate video gaming charges. Mr. Hendricks is the 38th person arrested for alcohol violations this fiscal year. So far, the total alcoholic beverages confiscated have a value of approximately $156,426.

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Contact: Christine Duray, 410-260-6346 or 443-336-0215