Officer's Poker Tourney Deemed Illegal
A popular monthly poker tournament organized by a Virginia Beach police officer is folding because the city's commonwealth attorney has concluded that it's illegal.
The tournament, which had been held at the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters, attracted about 150 players and a top prize of as much as $4,500.
Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey L. Bryant III said Fraternal Order of Police leaders approached him to inquire about the legality of the poker event.
"They sought a legal opinion," Bryant said. "We gave a legal opinion, and they are going to stop the game."
In addition, Clyde Cristman, director of the Virginia Department of Charitable Gaming, said he received a complaint about the tournament last month and notified Bryant's office. He said state law forbids all gambling in Virginia, with four exemptions: bingo and raffles held by charitable organizations; the state lottery; off-track parimutuel betting; and games held in private homes.
Poker is not outlawed by state statute, Cristman said, but playing it for money anywhere but at a private residence is illegal.
MARYLAND
Three Boaters Rescued on Potomac
Three boaters are safe after a nerve-racking episode on the Potomac River, officials said yesterday.
Two were plucked from an island and the third was found paddling in a canoe.
Montgomery County Fire Department spokesman Pete Piringer said that about 9 p.m. Saturday, the boaters who were stranded on the island called 911 from a cell phone but couldn't pinpoint exactly where they were.
With the help of police helicopters, they were located on Conn Island between Swain's Lock and Pennyfield Lock, near the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
The third boater was found more than an hour after his companions first called for help.
Piringer says none of the boaters appeared hurt.
100th Homicide in Pr. George's
Prince George's County logged its 100th homicide of the year early yesterday, with the shooting death of a Baltimore teenager in Landover.
