The brother of a local lawmaker may be connected to an $18 million illegal slot machine operation, court records show.
Robert Olszewski, brother of veteran Baltimore County Councilman John Olszewski Sr., is referred to as “the collector” in an affidavit filed with a civil complaint in U.S District Court last month seeking dozens of properties and bank accounts related to the alleged scheme. Detectives spotted Robert Olszewski entering and leaving several locations housing illegal slot machines with a red cash bag, according to the affidavit.
John Olszewski acknowledged the relationship on Wednesday but said the investigation “has nothing to do with me.”
“I come from a family with nine bothers and sisters and we all live our separate lives,” the Dundalk Democrat said. “This doesn’t involve me.”
John Olszewski Sr. is also the father of Maryland state Del. John Olszewski Jr.
John Olszewski Sr. said he does not know John Zorzit, the alleged target of the investigation. Authorities said that several undercover agents received cash winnings after playing machines owned by Zorzit and that Robert Olszewski told them he has worked for Zorzit for 14 years.
Robert Olszewski was charged in June 2008 with maintaining an illegal slot machine, but prosecutors declined to pursue the charges. No one has been charged in the federal investigation. Robert Olszewski, who has an unlisted phone number in Owings Mills, could not be reached for comment.
