Guilty plea in Thunder Valley Casino fraud case
By Denny Walsh and Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee
High-flying developer Bart Wayne Volen pleaded guilty Thursday to three felonies in connection with a scheme that prosecutors say looted between $17 million and $19 million from the owners of Thunder Valley Casino near Lincoln.
Volen, 55, also agreed to pay restitution of at least $17 million and to cooperate with federal prosecutors seeking convictions of two other men who are charged with helping him defraud the United Auburn Indian Community in an overbilling rip-off involving a massive construction project.
Wearing a white dress shirt and khaki slacks, the once boisterous Volen spoke in a hushed voice Thursday before Judge Troy L. Nunley in U.S. District Court in Sacramento as he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and filing a false tax return.
The plea deal obligates the government to recommend a sentence of up to nine years in prison and a $15,000 fine, but the final outcome likely will hinge on the extent of Volen’s cooperation against his co-defendants – former tribal administrator Greg Baker of Newcastle and construction project manager Darrell Hinz of Cameron Park.
Ripped off 17-plus million, only 9 years in prison RECOMMENDED…no wonder this country is going to Hell.
Its a plea bargin to get the money back and make sure the others also spend time in jail. They probably dont have enough evidence to convict the others and can find all of the money.