Scam Seems to Involve Mayor’s Son

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels’ son has been charged with one count of conspiracy and four counts of theft of funds from a gaming establishment on Indian lands. He is allegedly involved in a multi-state scam where employees were bribed and used pre-recorded, unshuffled playing cards.

There are 24 different suspects charged with being involved in the scam, where they hit 18 different casinos around the country to work a mini-baccarat and blackjack “false shuffle” scam. Jacob Nickels, 25, son of the mayor, is accused of being one of those employees that was bribed.

Nickels was the pit boss at the Nooksack Tribe casino in Whatcom County, which lose more than $90,000 in the scam. Allegedly he accepted a $5,000 bribe to introduce dealers at the casino to the accused conspirators in the case. Nickels is believed to be the one “cooperating witness” in the case, although the US Attorney, Tate London, would not confirm that.

Nickels is facing up to five years for the conspiracy count, as well as four counts of theft which carry ten years each. Since Nickels has no previous record, however, it is unlikely that he would get the maximum sentence allowed by law, and that he will probably get a greatly reduced one should he be found guilty.




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