Federal agents want to seize dozens of properties and bank accounts they said are linked to an $18 million illegal slot machine operation throughout Baltimore County.
Prosecutors allege that Cockeysville resident John Zorzit supplied illegal slot machines to about three dozen liquor stores, taverns and inns between 2003 and 2006, according to an affidavit filed with a civil complaint in U.S District Court last week. Authorities allege that several agents received cash winnings after playing Zorzit’s machines undercover and that the devices were equipped with illegal “point clearing” mechanisms.
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“We are alleging that the properties subject to forfeiture represent the proceeds of an illegal activity, and that is gambling,” said U.S Attorney Rod Rosenstein. “Was there an illegal operation and did that operation generate the money that was used to buy these properties?”
Rosenstein said the request for forfeiture — which does not require prosecutors to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt — is part of an ongoing investigation that also has included the Internal Revenue Service and Baltimore County Police’s vice squad.
County police spokesman Bill Toohey said the department served search warrants on 29 locations Jan. 28, each connected with Zorzit’s devices, registered with the county under “Nick’s Amusements.”
Toohey emphasized that Zorzit — who could not be reached for comment — has not been charged with a crime.
The government is requesting forfeiture of 14 bank accounts and 17 properties, including Zorzit’s $1 million home on Brett Manor Court in Cockeysville. Zorzit has 109 slot machine devices in 33 locations throughout Baltimore County, which averaged $42,000 per year each, according to the affidavit.
“Your affiant believes this is a conservative figure for Zorzit’s total proceeds from illegal gambling because this is based upon the number of machines actually licensed … in Baltimore County,” the 60-page document reads. “Unlicensed machines in Baltimore County and machines located in other Maryland counties and Baltimore City are not included.”
Zorzit has twice forfeited illegal machines and the money inside them, according to the affidavit. He was charged in 1999 in Baltimore City and in 2001 and twice in 2003 in Baltimore County with possessing illegal slot machines. Prosecutors either declined to pursue the charges or placed them on an inactive docket, according to court records.
His attorney in those cases, Arnold Zerwitz, did not return a call by press time.
