Raid found Eagles counting cash

The Post Falls Eagles club appeared to be open for business Monday, a day after police served a search warrant seizing seven illegal gambling machines, cash and records.

A red “open” sign flashed in the front window of the private club and the parking lot was full Monday afternoon.

The club’s electronic gaming machines – still smelling of cigarettes – were stored in evidence at the Post Falls Police Department, though.

Each machine was “For Amusement Only,” according to stickers on the front of each one. But investigators say the fraternal organization was paying out a nickel for every point players racked up.

The Post Falls Eagles declined to comment on the allegations, according to a woman answering the phone at the private club. Board members, who police said will face criminal charges, could not be reached for comment.

According to the Eagles’ mission statement, the national organization is based on the principles of “liberty, truth, justice and equality.” Its mission statement says the organization is also about “promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.”

Police have yet to say how prosperous the alleged illegal gambling was. Lt. Greg McLean said the confiscated cash has yet to be tallied, but it could amount to thousands of dollars.

Once the investigation is complete, McLean said police will recommend misdemeanor criminal charges against the board of directors, including President Chuck Estell, Secretary Shirley Grant and trustees Faye Christopher, Ben Benson, Bob Heide and Dan Schelske.

McLean said the trustees were at the club counting cash when police arrived with a search warrant about 6:40 a.m. Sunday. Police found envelopes full of cash winnings that were allegedly going to be distributed to Eagles members that day, he said.

Boxes full of cash, paperwork and bank records were stacked next to the seized gaming machines Monday. McLean said the club kept detailed logs, and that those who gambled initialed those logs when they picked up their winnings.

Police likely will interview members who played the machines and won cash, McLean said, but those members probably won’t be prosecuted.

“We’re going after the source,” he said.

Sunday’s raid also allegedly revealed other illegal gambling at the club.

McLean said police found evidence of a “shake a day” dice game and there was a pickle jar full of water with a shot glass in the bottom. He said people would win free drinks if they dropped a quarter in the jar and it landed in the shot glass.

Police won’t forward a criminal complaint to the city prosecutor until after the investigation is complete, McLean said. That means it could be two weeks or longer before charges are pressed.

As a result of the bust, the Eagles’ liquor license could be in jeopardy. McLean said the facility has licenses through the city, county and state. Without any one of those licenses, the bar could not legally serve liquor.

He said he will talk with state officials before deciding whether to seek suspension of the city license.

“I could say, one way or another, they’re probably going to get a suspension of some sort,” McLean said.

Sgt. Greg Harris of the Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control said he wasn’t aware of Sunday’s bust at the Eagles club. But he did say the Eagles club in Caldwell, Idaho, was cited a couple of years ago for paying out on machines.

“They paid a fine and they’re still in business,” he said.

An initial offense could result in a suspension of up to 30 days and a fine, Harris said. The penalties get more severe with repeat offenses.

The allegations of illegal gambling at the Post Falls club were news to officials at the national level.

“This is the first I heard of it,” said Bob Wahls, Grand Secretary of the Eagles. “We usually let it play out locally before we take any action.”

Wahls said it’s not often that he hears reports of illegal gambling at Eagles clubs. Sometimes the clubs are reprimanded and, with repeat offenses, could lose their charter with the organization.

“We let them know we expect them to obey the laws in their own state,” Wahls said.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas said he couldn’t comment on the allegations against the Post Falls Eagles. According to Idaho law, though, the machines are illegal, he said, even if the people playing the machines aren’t getting anything in return.

“Idaho is a pretty strict state,” he said. “There’s not even card gaming allowed on the reservations – no classic Vegas-type games” such as blackjack and craps.

McLean said if a person isn’t sure whether a game is legal, there’s one question to ask: Is it a game of chance or a game of skill?

“Anything that costs money to play that is not a game of skill but a game of chance, and you win something, it’s considered gambling,” he said. “A dart tournament or a pool tournament is a game of skill. Those aren’t illegal.”