Name:	David Batterson, San Diego Reader
Date:	Wednesday August 24, 2016
Subject:	Palomar Card Club license revoked
Message:	Last December 9, federal agents led by the FBI raided the Palomar Card Club (also known as Palomar Casino) at 2724 El Cajon Boulevard, alleging illegal operations, bookmaking, and money laundering. The Reader previously reported on Palomar's continuing legal problems. The club's licensees, Donald and Susan Staats, had been previously investigated by the California Bureau of Gambling Control and were accused of operating with an expired license. The Staats had executed a power-of-attorney that gave their daughter control of Palomar; that action was not allowed under California state law because she was unlicensed. An “Accusation,” filed by deputy attorney general William P. Torngren, stated in part: “Operating a card room in California is a revocable privilege. Mr. and Mrs. Staats turned control and management of Palomar over to an unlicensed person. Pursuant to the Act and as a consequence of their acts and omissions, Respondents are unqualified for, disqualified from, and unsuitable for continued licensure.” Subsequent to publication, Eric Petosky of the California Gambling Control Commission said, "Both the cardroom and the owners have Interim Renewal Licenses (granted last November). The CA Gambling Control Commission referred the case to an Administrative Procedures Act hearing, but there has not been a hearing date scheduled to my knowledge." California’s Bureau of Gambling Control chief, Wayne Quint, Jr., issued an emergency closure order after the raid. Kristin Ford, deputy communications director for California attorney general Kamala D. Harris, said on April 15 that “the cardroom remains closed pursuant to the emergency closure order.” Recently, a notice was posted on the door that informs patrons when they can cash in their chips, even if they missed the April 6 deadline. They can mail their chips to a post office box in Broomfield, Colorado. They must include a copy of their ID and a notarized statement on the chips' value. The notice states that “Palomar Card Club is temporarily closed for business. We appreciate the patience of our patrons & employees during this period of closure.” After the December shutdown, the manager of Palomar, Naseem “Nick” Salem, was accused of failing to track winners earning more than $10,000 a day” as required, and conspiracy to launder money. Back in October 2011, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously, allowing Palomar (and Lucky Lady Card Room at 5526 El Cajon Boulevard) to add two more tables. This was done after lobbying of councilmembers Todd Gloria (District 3) and Marti Emerald (District 9) by Alan Ziegaus, principal of Southwest Strategies, LLC. As for Palomar's possible reopening and any recent lobbying efforts from Southwest Strategies, Adrian Granda, Gloria's director of communications, told the Reader that “Councilmember Gloria is waiting for the results of the FBI investigation. Our office has not met with anyone recently on this issue.” ~http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/apr/15/stringers-palomar-card-club-will- redeem-chips/ ~

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