Anthony Patrone, general manager of Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel in Charenton, Louisiana recently turned himself in to Louisiana State Police but denies the charges of felony theft, computer fraud and obstruction of justice. Patrone and casino Chief Financial Officer Monte Spivey were arrested following an investigation that began in January after a member of the Chitimacha Tribal Gaming Commission made a complaint about possible illegal activity at the casino. The State Police Gaming Unit confirmed Patrone edited the casino’s employee database to change an unidentified employee from inactive to active and qualified for a ,700 bonus. The payment was made to the former employee’s bank account.
Police allege Spivey reactivated the former employee in the database for the bonus and Patrone instructed an employee to remove the former employee’s name from the database and conceal the payment.
Patrone’s lawyer Donald Washington said in a prepared statement Patrone “emphatically denies every charge and allegation put forth by the Louisiana State Police in their unfortunate actions taken yesterday. Someone of Anthony’s stature and success would have no reason to steal $5,700 or any amount of money for that matter, and it will be plainly shown by evidence that his actions were transparent and known to many individuals.” Washington added Patrone has been “aggressively candid” with state police.
