Clogged pipe brings arrest in NJ fake-chip case

WAYNE PARRY

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Talk about a royal flush!

A clogged pipe at an Atlantic City, N.J., casino has led to the discovery of $2.7 million in counterfeit poker chips that had been flushed down a toilet.

Authorities say a Fayetteville, N.C., man sneaked fake chips into a poker tournament at Atlantic City's Borgata casino, leading to the cancellation of one of its events last week.

Christian Lusardi was arrested Friday on charges including theft and rigging a public contest. It's unknown if he has a lawyer.

New Jersey state police say the investigation began when workers at Harrah's Resort went to unclog a sewer pipe in Lusardi's hotel room. The workers found $2.7 million in counterfeit Borgata chips.

Borgata officials then found 160 fake chips at their event.