Mayor's son pleads guilty in casino scam

Jacob Nickels, the son of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to one count of conspiracy in connection with a casino card-cheating scam based in California.

Flanked by his defense attorney and seated in front of his parents and other supporters, Nickels, 26, acknowledged to U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Alice Theiler that in 2005 he took a bribe from an international card-cheating ring while he was pit boss at the Nooksack River Casino in Deming, Whatcom County.

"We're very pleased he came forward and accepted responsibility for his actions," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tate London.

Nickels, who smiled after the hearing and accepted hugs from well-wishers, declined to comment. He is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour on Dec. 14.

Nickels' attorney, Jeffery Robinson, said Nickels had expressed a desire to plead guilty since he was charged.

Nickels, who had worked his way up from dealer to pit boss at the Nooksack Tribe's casino, was accused of accepting $5,000 to introduce one of the ring's alleged co-conspirators to two of his friends who were dealers at the casino, according to a federal indictment unsealed in May.

Nickels was charged at that time with one count of conspiracy and four counts of theft of funds from a gaming establishment on Indian lands.

Federal prosecutors agreed to drop the four theft charges in exchange for his guilty plea on the conspiracy charge.

The mayor said in a statement that the case has proved to be "a difficult time for our family.

"Jake today is taking an important step in accepting responsibility for his actions. Although this brings us closer to resolution, it's not over. We love him and will stand by him throughout."

24 charged

Charges were filed against 24 people in Seattle and San Diego for allegedly stealing millions from 18 casinos in seven states and Canada.

Among the casinos hit — in what prosecutors describe as the largest card-cheating ring ever prosecuted by the federal government — was the Emerald Queen Casino near Fife, which allegedly lost more than $1 million to the group in 2003.

Federal prosecutors say that typically senior members of the ring, which they dubbed the Tran Organization, would scout casinos where mini-baccarat was offered, befriend and bribe pit bosses and dealers and teach them a "false shuffle."

Bogus shuffle

The bogus shuffle allowed dealers to leave a large number of cards unshuffled that the cheating players would then use to predict outcomes and place bets.

Prosecutors said Jacob Nickels introduced ringleaders to card dealers Kasey McKillip and Levi Mayfield, who were both charged with conspiracy in connection with the thefts.

Mayfield pleaded guilty last month. McKillip is scheduled to face trial next month.

Mayfield and Nickels are the first of the 24 to plead guilty, according to London, the U.S. attorney.

The scam cost the casino more than $90,000 over four days of play in October 2005, according to federal prosecutors. According to the plea agreement, Nickels agreed to pay restitution to the casino.

London said Nickels could face a sentence of up to 16 months.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com