March 10, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 10, 2015
11:00 a.m.
Detroit - A charity millionaire party supplier suspended last year by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) faces a preliminary exam March 19 on conspiracy charges resulting from an illegal gambling investigation the MGCB supported.
Fouad “Fred” Haddad, owner of millionaire party supplier Total G Services, was arraigned in 37th District Court in Warren Jan. 16. He was apprehended by the Warren Police Department late last year and charged with conspiracy for running an illegal gambling operation at the Paradise Café, 32527 Mound Road, Warren.
“Gaming officers shared an anonymous tip and observations of suspicious activities to assist the Warren Police Department investigation, which resulted in a raid and subsequent charges,” said Richard Kalm, MGCB executive director. “This kind of activity hurts charities hosting legitimate, licensed millionaire parties by siphoning away their business. It also threatens the safety and security of nearby residents and businesses.”
Before the raid, Haddad allegedly hosted illegal poker tournaments along with Texas Hold’em and Omaha cash games nightly at the Warren cafe. The Warren Police Department seized more than $36,000, four electronic gambling machines, two poker tables, eight $1,000 MGM Grand poker chips, seven televisions, three vehicles and five pounds of marijuana during the raid.
In addition to Haddad, the manager, Firas Sadou, was charged with conspiracy and gambling crimes. Two dealers, Krysten Farley and Raney Yousif, were charged with a one-year misdemeanor of gambling, taking bets.
Two patrons, Edward Dinha and Johnny Bahri, were arrested on felony narcotics charges, and 13 others were issued misdemeanor tickets for disorderly person: gambling violations.
In December 2013, the MGCB suspended charity millionaire party gaming events supplied by Haddad’s Total G Services at Five Star Lanes in Sterling Heights because of illegal charitable gaming activities.
At Five Star Lanes, Haddad and his employees and/or agents also were accused of routinely engaging in illegal gambling during millionaire parties: altering and falsifying charity gaming records. Haddad voluntarily surrendered Total G Services’ millionaire party supplier license for two years effective March 21, 2014.
Haddad purchased the Paradise Café in north Warren in July where he also allegedly served alcohol and food without the proper licenses.
Michigan citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious or illegal gambling to the Michigan Gaming Control Board by calling its 24-hour anonymous tip line, (888) 314-2682. To contact the Attorney General’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, please call (517) 241-0210.
