Workers face hearing in casino thefts

Workers face hearings in casino thefts

Patricia Diaz, a 47-year-old former blackjack dealer for Harrah's Lake Tahoe who is accused of embezzling $700,000, had her arraignment continued to Feb. 24.

The process at Douglas County District Court is going slowly for Diaz, who has yet to enter a plea to charges that she took hundreds of thousands in $500 chips as a high-limit dealer at the casino during a three-year span.

During one of those years, Diaz allegedly had her daughter cash chips at Caesars, authorities stated. Diaz allegedly supported her daughter's family and purchased expensive items such as a boat with the money.

Diaz was released from her job a year ago and was arrested in April. She worked at Harrah's for 24 years.

While Diaz has yet to answer to the charges, two others accused of similar crimes at another Stateline casino, Jason Lawrence and Stephen Johnson, are set for trial in April.

Lawrence and Johnson, who are being tried together, are accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from Harveys Resort Casino. Lawrence, a former pit boss, and Johnson allegedly would use fake credit markers to obtain the money, authorities said.

A 10-day trial is set for Aug. 17.