A former Carson City legislator who now runs a gambling operation in Costa Rica has been implicated in a what Nevada Gaming Control agents say is a major illegal bookmaking operation in Carson City.
Charlie Joerg, who served two terms representing the capital in the Nevada Assembly and one in the Senate, was named as the alleged "boss over the entire operation" run out of his Carson City home, the home of his son Alan and a third residence on California Street.
Gaming Control Senior Agent David Andrews said in his affidavit seeking a warrant to search the three residences investigators have evidence indicating there was an extensive unlicensed sports betting operation run out of the house at 2201 California St.
A team of 17 control board agents from Reno and Carson City along with five FBI agents broke down the front door of that home as well as Joerg's residence at 1762 Belmont Ave. and his son Alan's home at 301 Tahoe Dr. on Wednesday. They took custody of several hundred pieces of evidence including nearly a dozen television sets, a half-dozen computers, shredders, a cellular telephone, at least one pistol and gambling records including betting markers, pay and owe sheets, gaming slips and tally sheets plus other items.
Four men were arrested on felony illegal bookmaking charges: Michael D. Lowe, 54; Frank C. Edmiston, 31; Leslie G. McElroy, 51; and Mathew Cote, 30.
But Karl Bennison, gaming control's supervisor of enforcement in Reno, said more arrests are expected.
The affidavit filed with the search warrants states that Charlie Joerg lives in Costa Rica but maintains his home on Belmont in Carson City "and is believed to be the boss over the entire operation with Gary John Gibb as his local manager of the operation."
"The persons involved in the operation of this criminal enterprise are all associated with Charles Joerg, Alan Joerg and Gary Gibb," the affidavit states.
But the affidavit cites as evidence for the warrants testimony from two informants indicating Alan Joerg received "numerous FedEx and DHL shipping carrier packages containing large amounts of U.S. currency" which he kept in a drawer at the base of his bedroom headboard. The informant provided pictures of the boxes of currency to agents and estimated there was more than $100,000 in the house at different times.
Based on the extensive surveillance over the past few months, photos, and at least one tape recording taken by an informant wearing "a wire," Carson District Judge Bill Maddox authorized a "no knock" warrant allowing agents to break down the doors of the three residences to prevent any destruction of evidence.
A Certified Public Accountant by profession, Charles Joerg served two terms representing Assembly District 40 from 1983-1986 including serving as Speaker Pro Tempore when the Republicans held the majority in the 1985 session. He served from 1987-1990 in the Nevada Senate representing the Capital Senatorial District seat.
Although implicated in the court papers, Joerg has not been charged. His whereabouts are not known.
• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.