Furthermore, Lovett was convicted on two charges of extortion and two more charges of making false statements to the FBI. Most of the employees are actually nice people, but for many of them, it is almost a job of last resort. He placed ads in gay publications posing as a young stud named Eddie Johnson to attract correspondence from unsuspecting readers. The ball crazily bounces and rolls until it comes to rest on one of the 96 holes. WebCarnivals have a number of workers, each of whom has a specific role to fill. From the foul line, the rims appeared to be regulation and served to attract and dupe naive victims out of $2 a shot. The various suspect games on NAMEs midway, vividly depicted in Biloxi and Indianapolis, are featured in Jeff Rossens and Sandra Thomass 2012 expos. U.S. Repeat for nine months. 47% of Carnival Workers have a high school diploma degree, 10% major in criminal justice. Michael L. Cella was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and sentenced to 3 years in prison for fondling the children while strapping them in for rides. Do a little googling on carnies and carnival workers and youll find thats a common assessment. It's the exact opposite of what most folks describe. Razzle, which combines the magic of sleight of hand with bait and switch, and psychology, is difficult to explain without physically demonstrating it. In my early years as a police officer of the Dearborn Police Department and working the information desk, a man named Steve Nowosielski walked in to complain that carnival employees were stealing from the patrons with Razzle at the city carnival only 100 yards from the police station. In 1967, McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser and his wife were attacked in Tennessee likely in retaliation for Pussers crackdown on the Dixie Mafia. My dad built his own candy apple stand when he was in college and stayed in the business for over 30 years. The only games legally authorized on carnival midways in the United States are skill-based (unrigged) games otherwise known as games of skill. If skill is not the dominating element influencing the outcome of a game, that game would be considered chance-based or a game of chance. All chance-based games are considered gambling games and are illegal when operated on privately owned carnival midways; for example, a game which is set up in a way, which only luck can win a prize, is illegal gambling. Countless other Democrat politicians split another $100,000 from the Gregorys. [2] The word carnival, originally meaning a "time of merrymaking before Lent" and referring to a time denoted by lawlessness (often ritualised under a lord of misrule figure and intended to show the consequences of social chaos), came into use around 1549. Today, carnival-goers lose thousands of dollars in this 100-year-old con game played all over the world. Kirksey McCord Nix Jr., one of the lead figures of the Dixie Mafia, was suspected to be one of the men behind the hit. With the astronomical amounts of cash the Razzle sharks are capable of taking, one never should rule out the possibility of protection by dirty cops, often in the vicinity of a Razzle set-up. I was a carnie for a summer. A worker with a criminal background sexually assaulted three children at Downers Grove Heritage Fest two years ago, according to DuPage County records. Several scout-cars responded and one bully-type sergeant threatened to arrest me. Arrive at location in the afternoon, after working the last spot all night. The gang then broke into 10 trailers in search of valuables and cash. The truth is that some of the illegal games are property of the carnival owner, and not some fictitious ace-in-the-hole independent contractor. Most flat-joints are operated by errant freelancers. There are several national stories in 2013 depicting how one tubs agent had depleted a victims back account. "I'd recommend you stay with [your children] every ride and every attraction on the midway. WebCarny allowed the carnival workers to hide the truth of their activities from the populace. Drupal theme by ThemeSnap.com, Carnival racketeering is endemic throughout the United State and has been for years. In the subsequent years, three suspects (not including Nix), suffered mysterious deaths that may have been caused by Pusser. Along with other costs, in most cases, a contracted carnival owner pays the contract fee, (around $1million), in advance of a long-running state fair. Gaffed and chance-based games travel to thousands of carnival lots and fairs each year, raking in billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains with virtual impunity. In my view, what Deputy Chief Dennis Richardson did isnt much different from what disgraced former Chief Willie Lovett did for nine years: Conspiracy to obstruct enforcement of criminal laws. (Lovett probably tossed every Razzle and hoop complaint at all his cheating carnivals.). For a carnival owner or manager to deny responsibility is like saying I didnt run you over, my car did! When it comes to interviews, carnival owners and managers will act outraged while feigning ignorance about the rigged game and its perpetrat, John Wayne Gacy Confessed to Killing Dozens (December 22, 1978). Also available from Amazon, With the purpose of writing about true crime in an authoritative, fact-based manner, veteran journalists J. J. Maloney and J. Patrick OConnor launched Crime Magazine in November of 1998. State law prohibits child sex offenders from working at a carnival. All players lay a bet down on a color and only one of the players throws a rubbery ball in a bin of 96 colored holes. State legislators said carnival companies have exaggerated costs to kill bills. When interviewed by reporters, carnival owners and managers never will admit to personal misdeeds and will fabricate a tale about being unaware of any criminal activity on the midway. Moreover, the practice of carnival owners paying police departments direct is risky and, if unchecked, sets up a dubious relationship which tends to defeat the mission of law enforcement. We have a full drug testing center on-site. The FBI and game enforcement experts are available to present seminars to police departments. WebCruise ship crime. Carnival midways are the only venues in the United States where local police departments allow carnival lots to be free crime zones for illegal gambling, larceny, and fraud. Young teens are the now the focus at carnival festivals. The mark will often return and become heavily invested, as the doubling effect will drain his bank account before reaching the goal line. As part of my research for the Today feature, each morning before the 2012 Arab Festival carnival opened, I measured the basketball rims and found, pretty much, what I had expected. Furthermore, Lovett was convicted on two charges of extortion and two more charges of making false statements to the FBI. Convicted of bank loan schemes in 1986 and never spending a day in prison, the Gregorys befriended Tony Rodham, brother of President Bill Clintons wife, and now presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and were awarded the contracts to operate his carnival, In 2008, campaign finance records show that Frank contributed to the following U.S. Congressional candidates: Joe Baca, Brian Bilbray, Gerry Connolly, Jim Costa, Randy Forbes, Zoe Lofgren, Mike Pence, Dennis Rehberg, and, In my early years as a police officer of the Dearborn Police Department and working the information desk, a man named Steve Nowosielski walked in to complain that carnival employees were stealing from the patrons with Razzle at the city carnival only 100 yards from the police station. But really, what field doesnt? The party moves from town to town weekly, of course. Then, just after the child paid, I observed the grifter evasively remove the deadening ball (gaff ball) at the same time he removed the demo balls. Gummo was about white trash in a small dirt-poor town. Testimony was that Roach paid Lovett for protection from police while Roach cheated customers through such games as Razzle Dazzle also known as Razzle, which gave players no chance to win. Lovett was also fined $50,000. Youths risk developing a gambling problem at the rate of two to three times that of adult onset. These hardworking people are young and old, from all walks of life. If you get busted for [illicit substances], youre gone. "I think it definitely warrants another look," said Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago), who has sponsored a bill requiring background checks that was killed in past sessions. Cops who protect illegal games would be in violation (federally) of the anti-corruption legislation under 18 U.S. Code, Part 1, Chapter 73, section 1511 of RICO Act: Obstruction of State and local law enforcement.. There must be collaboration among governmental agencies regarding the identification, tracking, and documenting of these interstate businessmen along with recognizing the moral and social ills associated with the intentions of most to take criminal financial advantage of children. Of course, one of my friends who went home from university for the summer and has no criminal record was also one of the local workers this year. I pay 10-to-1!. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. I am well aware of the acceptability of these games by the general public and the misplaced attitude of Whats the big deal? Chances are, cops wont comprehend (given that the mark didnt), or perhaps surmise that The sucker got what he deserved.. Carnival-related bribes and illegal transactions pave the way for the crooked migratory hustlers to trailer into your neighborhood for a weekend each year, never having a need to worry about arrest. The Razzle agent, known as a flatty, carnival jargon for the operator of a crooked big-dollar table game called a flat joint or flat store, is a professional con man with an enticing appeal. It goes back to the Nomads versus the Egypt, Rome versus the Barbarians. In the carnival business, the slang synonymous with rig or trick is gaff; i.e., The game is gaffed. Most operators of gaffed games combine gambling with the gaff in order to pinch as much money as possible from the unwitting customer. Carnivals have close ties to not only organized crime but to local law enforcement. These are people that would otherwise be homeless if not for the ability to count to 2 with both hands. Six flags is much better and safer. Carnival racketeering is endemic throughout the United State and has been for years. East coast or west? The owner, manager, or patch of a carnival who pays police security, either directly or indirectly through a third party, with the expectation of having police-protected illegal games, would be in violation of the federal RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) U.S. Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 11, section 201, Bribery of public officials. Gifts and gratuities handed out for the same purpose also amount to bribery. As reported in the Savannah Morning News, the government contended Lovett and Randall Roach (Magic Midway carnival owner) schemed from 2004 until September 27, 2013, when Lovett retired. All embrace lucrative interests while striving for a trouble-free show, which can and does lead to tolerable criminal pursuits. While we cultivate our childrens childhood memories, our own become entwined with theirs. Getty ImagesBuford Pusser supposedly took out several members of the Dixie Mafia to avenge his wifes death. Bill Colgin/Getty ImagesThe Dixie Mafias territory stretched all over the South, from Georgia to Oklahoma. NAME and Co CEO, Danny R. Huston, can gross $200,000 over the weekend and pay the sponsor one-quarter of the gross or about $50,000 for the privilege of servicing unprotected patrons. The carnival marketing target demographic currently ischildren, thereby creating a predictable and dependable source of income, as opposed to the time-tested art of cleaning out the occasional high-dollar Razzle-type mark by which there is always the chance of generating trouble via player beefs. During the 1960s, a group of criminals known as the Dixie Mafia began to creep across cities and towns in the South. Unbeknownst to authorities, Dixie Mafia leader Kirksey McCord Nix Jr. was orchestrating an elaborate extortion scheme from behind bars. These drifting grifters pay the head carny for the front footage of their flat-store; as much as $100-a-foot per day, reliant on the games ability to steal money. According to law enforcement sources, the outdoor amusement industry is at least a $10 billion-per-year business in North America, mostly a cash-based trade. A favorite American mythologyis that of the carnie, someone who works at a carnival. Justice on Fire is OConnors detailed account of the terrible explosion that led to the firefighters deaths and the terrible injustice that followed. Heres my take on it - it isnt that theyre any different than anyone else in a highly-transient, blue collar labor force, its just that theyre the only ones in such a position who come into contact with average families and kids in a situation where theyre ostensibly supposed to be having fun and the environment is supposed to be happy and jolly. The itinerant carnival owner pays the festival sponsor a fee or percentage of the take for the privilege of servicing the towns carnival-goers. They never went anywhere and interacted at least occasionally with normal society. Most of the carnival workers were busy manning concessions in the French Quarter of New Orleans that night. Ranking police officers and elected politicians have always cooperated with carnival owners, as in a partnership. No rigged games, daily ride inspections, and regular and random drug testing andbackground checksgo a long way towardcleaning up the carnie image. About 40 percent of adults with gambling problems started gambling before age 17. It was a really good business for a long time, though. Another 25 percent are illegal since they are gambling games. The bill would increase fines for amusement companies for failing to check the criminal history of new hires. Theft, fraud, and sexual misconduct are all examples of these crimes. They even have their own language., At least thats what people think about carnies. I've worked nine years at one of the largest single-unit carnivals in the country. So, they either rent or default on thier sub-prime mortgage. William A. Riedthaler, renowned games enforcement expert, informed me that the total figure might be as high as $40 billion. I completed a larceny report for Steve, who told about the carnival patch and offered to lend me the book by John Scarne entitled. It does tend to be full of gossip since everyone works and lives with each other in close quartersRide and customer safety is the number-one priority. Either way, you can generally find them within a few miles of where they need to show up for work the next day. Frank had been granted state fair contracts in Michigan and Florida over the previous 25 years. As a retired police officer, I continued to expose and help curb what I found to be a free-wheeling crime anomaly, by publishing several investigative accounts, including two books: Carnival Games: The Perfect Crimes (2010) and Carnival Games: $10,000,000,000 Hoodwink Racket (2012). The term "showie" is used synonymously in Australia, while "showman" is used in the United Kingdom.[1]. I remember he went about two or three years (jobless) chasing down an injury lawsuit when he got hurt on a job. The average carnival worker salary is $27,198. Halat was released from prison in 2012, while Nix continues serving a life sentence. Loved it, although I didnt get along too well with my coworkers - it seems that girl is supposed to equal slut, and I never got the memo. The few drifter-lifestyles left are heavily frowned upon. Convicted of bank loan schemes in 1986 and never spending a day in prison, the Gregorys befriended Tony Rodham, brother of President Bill Clintons wife, and now presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and were awarded the contracts to operate his carnival, United Shows of America Inc., for President Clintons White House Press Picnic in 1998 and 2000. While planning for a San Antonio, Texas, state fair, Wade Shows carnival owner Frank Zaitshik stated that it costs him $100,000 to hire off-duty police officers. Some of the cash generated from Franks games should easily cover the overtime pay for carny-cops and perhaps some gratuity items such as free corn-dogs and Winnie the Pooh bears. So this is a fair one to assume. have largely been replaced by a bunch of rides and cheesy (somewhat rigged) games of skill crammed into a municipal or shopping center parking lot. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. It is evident that the police officers oath of office is not upheld and easily forgotten by some. Here, lets see if my charm works on you, Back on topic, I never did carnivals, but I have worked a freak show / side show. It's definitely not the mall parking lot show that most think of when you hear "carnival." There were at least two casualties: Margie George, a 44-year-old fortune-teller who was hacked to death for refusing to reveal the location of a supposed safe, and Gary Elbert McDaniel, a known Dixie Mafia associate who turned up dead a month after the murder. And members only had to obey one rule: Thou shall not snitch to the cops.. One guy in Kansas mortgaged his house and sent $30,000 to the scammers over a period of months. To make matters worse, some of the prisoners eventually confessed the scheme to victims and threatened to out them if they told anyone. With the recent publicity on the ills of Tubs of Fun, chances are that the carnies will re-package the scam with a different look until the heat dies down; perhaps bring back the old wooden bushel-baskets instead of plastic laundry tubs and eliminate the deadening ball for one year. Carnival game players lose 95 percent of the time says a carnival game enforcement specialist, Corporal Glenn Hester of the Glynn County Police Department of Brunswick, Georgia. For decades, this gang operated lawlessly and targeted anyone who stood in their way. In Scotland they are simply known as "'''Travellers'''" ( not to be confused with Irish travellers or Gypsies) . Carnival owners, workers, and agents, known as carnies, who own, manage, or operate these chance-based games and share in the take, are conspiring to promote gambling. But despite the massive crackdown on former members that followed, many believe that the group is still secretly active today. Now, the mark plays for another $2 and the carny adds up the marbles in a slow accurate manner which will always translate to either no yards or 29 which is the doubling-up number on the chart and often hit because of the defeating number arrangement on the marble board. But I dont have any illusions that this is the end of the Dixie Mafia., After reading about the Dixie Mafia, meet Joe Valachi, the first mobster to expose the Mafias darkest secrets, and Frank Lucas, the real-life heroin kingpin who inspired the film American Gangster., The Little-Known Story Of The Dixie Mafia, The Cornbread Cosa Nostra Of The South. On November 29, 2002, Frank peeled off $5,000 in the same Florida account only days after Jeb Bush was reelected to governor. Least thats what people think about carnies and targeted anyone who stood in their way to fill their language.. % of carnival workers were busy manning concessions in the South informed me that the police officers elected. 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