Mayor's son enters not-guilty pleas in casino case

Jacob Nickels, the son of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging that he took part in a multistate casino-cheating ring that authorities say stole millions of dollars by bribing casino employees to falsely shuffle decks.

Jeffrey Robinson, Nickels' attorney, entered the pleas on his client's behalf at an arraignment Thursday before Magistrate Judge James Donohue in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Nickels listened attentively but said little during the brief hearing.

Nickels, 25, was charged with one count of conspiracy and four counts of theft of funds from gaming establishments on Indian lands. A total of 24 people have been charged by federal grand juries in Seattle and San Diego for allegedly cheating at 18 casinos in seven states and in Canada.

Nickels and four other men were charged in connection with the alleged cheating at the Nooksack River Casino, where he worked as a pit boss.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisca Borichewski said the government did not think it was necessary to detain Nickels after he entered his not-guilty pleas. Nickels was issued a summons but was not detained when the government made arrests last month in the investigation.

Robinson said Nickels is not a flight risk and "has spoken with and cooperated with investigators investigating this case since as early as October 2006."

Donohue released Nickels following the arraignment. He was ordered to surrender his passport. Trial is set for Aug. 13.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each of the theft charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Mayor Nickels did not attend Thursday's hearing. The mayor and his wife, Sharon, are in Chicago on a long-planned vacation, according to Marty McOmber, a spokesman for the mayor.

McOmber said the mayor's office had no comment on Jacob Nickels' arraignment and referred media calls to Robinson.

Federal officials accused Nickels of accepting $5,000 in 2005 as part of the scheme while working as a pit boss at the Nooksack River Casino in Deming, just east of Bellingham.

Nickels allegedly accepted the money in exchange for introducing the leaders of the scheme to casino card dealers, who later took part in the cheating conspiracy, according to prosecutors.

Seattle Times staff reporter Bob Young contributed to this report.

David Bowermaster: 206-464-2724 or dbowermaster@seattletimes.com