Stark County man accused of avoiding taxes, running illegal gambling parlors
A federal grand jury in Cleveland has filed an updated indictment that includes additional charges against a 48-year-old Stark County man previously accused of running illegal gambling parlors.
The superseding indictment released this week alleges that from 2016 through 2021, Steven Saris received more than $4 million in income from his ownership and operation of illegal gambling businesses that he failed to report to the Internal Revenue Service or pay income taxes.
Saris is newly charged with operating illegal gambling businesses, tax evasion, conspiracy to defraud the United States, willful failure to collect and pay employment taxes, money laundering and an obstruction-related offense. Saris was previously indicted and charged with one count of owning and operating an illegal gambling business.
More: Federal prosecutors charge 7 more defendants in Stark County skills games cases
"Mr. Saris does maintain his innocence," said defense attorney Michael T. Callahan, of Akron. "We intend to aggressively defend."
According to the superseding indictment, from 2012 through 2022, Saris owned and operated illegal gambling businesses in Stark and Summit counties, including Café 62 at 3007 Harrisburg Road NE in Plain Township, Lucky’s at 3202 Whipple Avenue NW in Plain Township, Winner’s World at 1400 Whipple Ave. NW in Canton Township, Spin City at 3865 Mogadore Road in Mogadore, and an illegal gambling businesses at 850 Canton Road in Springfield. He allegedly concealed his involvement by having others pose as the owners.
Saris is accused of not filing personal income tax returns with the IRS for 2016 through 2021 even though he allegedly received more than $4 million in income from the gambling businesses. To further conceal his involvement income, he allegedly destroyed and directed others to destroy business records associated with each one. The indictment further alleges that Saris paid employees $10 per hour in cash and did not account for, or pay, employment taxes.
Prosecutors allege Saris lied about his ownership and involvement in Winner’s World. They also allege he tried to prevent investigators from finding and taking his cellphone during the execution of a search warrant at his home by hiding it inside a toilet water tank.
The indictment also alleges that Saris used proceeds from his illegal businesses to buy chips and place wagers at legal casinos, then directed the legal casinos to issue payouts to him in the form of checks to conceal that the illegal gambling businesses were the source of the funds.
From 2015 through about 2021, he is alleged to have gambled more than $2.7 million at legal casinos and had a net loss of approximately $995,820 from this gambling.
If convicted, Saris faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion, illegal gambling business, conspiracy, employment tax and destruction and removal of property to prevent seizure. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each money laundering count.
Federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of any property paid for with proceedings from the illegal gambling operations, including two Lake Township homes.
The indictment says that around August 2019, August 2021 and August 2022, around the time of the yearly NFL Hall of Fame Game, Saris hosted large parties at the one of the properties which were attended by former NFL players and celebrities, and which he paid for with the proceeds from the illegal gambling businesses.
Saris' arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday before Judge Donald C. Nugent in Cleveland.
An indictment is an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.
Previous Saris indictment: Canton-area man who owned Cafe 62 charged with running illegal gambling business
July 2023: Federal prosecutors charge 7 more defendants in Stark County skills games cases
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Steven Saris accused of running illegal gambling in Stark, Summit
