The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Sheriff Ken Stolle said Friday he didn't know a "sweepstakes" cafe using his charity's name was operating in Virginia Beach as recently as Wednesday. He also said he's in the process of severing ties with any cafes set up to benefit the Virginia Sportsmen's Foundation.
"I've never spoken to them," he said of the cafe in the Chimney Hill Shopping Center on Holland Road. "I don't know who the owner is."
The business, which billed itself the Virginia Sportsmen's Foundation Sweepstakes Redemption Center, did not get a required business license, which makes it hard to track down the owner, said Eric Schmudde, chief deputy commissioner of the revenue. The business also didn't have zoning approval, he said.
The cafe abruptly closed Thursday.
It was not part of a September police raid of 11 Internet cafes, in which police seized hundreds of gaming computers.
Police said Friday that was because it opened after the 11 establishments were identified in March for investigation and they didn't want to add more because the planned police action was already so large.
"We didn't want to take on any more because we knew others would be opening and closing in the meantime," spokesman Adam Bern-stein said. "We were hoping the others would voluntarily close down."
Stolle and Bernstein pointed out that other sweepstakes cafes that advertised a connection to Stolle's foundation were raided. A commonwealth's attorney's office spokeswoman said four such cafes were included in the raids.
"That in no way, shape or form affected our investigation," Bernstein said. "It didn't make a difference either way."
The commonwealth's attorney's office has yet to file any charges against any owners or operators.
Sweepstakes games resemble slot machines. Players buy credits to play them and try to earn points. Those who win more points than they started with can make money.
Sweepstakes cafes occupy a murky area of Virginia law. For example, Virginia Beach has raided them while Chesapeake has not. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has issued an advisory opinion saying they're legal.
North Carolina banned them as of Dec. 1.
The mission of the Virginia Sportsmen's Foundation includes providing hunting opportunities for disabled military veterans, according to its website.
Stolle said his foundation got $8,000 the day before the raids from the sweepstakes cafes distributed by the company that provides the sweepstakes computer software. He said it got an additional $3,000 to $5,000 from a co-owner of an entity that operated several cafes.
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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Stolle
gate.
A breath of fresh air
Finally a VA Pilot reporter who does not think the Sheriff was the third shooter on the grassy noll. I was pleasantly surprised to read the column this morning. Kerry Dougherty, kudos to you. Might the chief editor of the pilot have some of the other "folks who write for this publication" take notice of a very well written piece.
in the mud misses the point
Did any one take a civics class or bother to learn which elected official in the city of Va Beach is responsible for what? The Sheriff id responsible for the Correctional Center the court and Civil Process. He has absolutely nothing to do with enforcement of gaming laws or who is prosecuted or investigated. Investigate all any one wants, but until there is found to be something wrong on the Sheriff's part the reporter needs to stop being Judge Juror and executioner. As I previously stated this reporter obviously has something against Sheriff Stole. I find it unbelievable that a man can dedicate his entire life to public service have a stellar record and a wet behind the ears ill informed reporter can go off half cocked and in pune him.
As a citizen
I am perfectly aware of the difference between the Sheriff's department, Police department, Commissioner's office, Attorney General, etc. and their respective supposed duties. What you seem to be unaware of is that the reporter in question that YOU seem to be smearing is only reporting what they have found out. I read no bias in their report at all. Can you point out the bias? Or are you just upset that your bff is having a light shined on them that is not all praise and glory? The circumstances and facts in this case are murky at best. Public servants are supposed to be accountable to the public and not use their power to selectively enforce their own made up laws. I commend the Pilot for trying to find the answers for us.
The advertising on the door
The advertising on the door of the cafe says "Virginia Sportsmen's Foundation Sweepstakes Redemption Center" and Stolle's charity is the "Virginia Sportsmen's Foundation". 11 cafes were raided and shut down but the one that has the name of the Sheriff's foundation is not touched. There is no known business license or owner listed, according to the commissioner's office. No matter the "axe to grind" theories of some of the commentators here, or the real or perceived bias of this newspaper, there is some serious shady business going on with this case and it needs further investigation. Armed raids of legal businesses with confiscation and seizures is a serious matter. Selective enforcement is not acceptable no matter the excuse.
VA Pilot
The Pilot wants to be the New York Times but does it with young, inexperienced reporters and an arrogant editorial board/leadership. They got tired of beating up Norfolk so now they are hitting VB. Stand by Chesapeake and Suffolkk you are next.
Ken Stolle
This article sure makes it look like Applegate was practicing yellow journalism. I was hoping that Mr. Stolle was not a typical politician. And it appears that it was just a smear article. Shame on the Pilot for trying to create news rather then just reporting the facts.
did any one ever consider
That this reporter must obviously have an axe to grind against the Sheriff. Were any laws broken? No. Did the Sheriff do anything wrong? No. If you were a public official who was raked over the coals would you be jumping to return the reporters phone calls? No. I wonder if the reporter has even a clue what the Sheriff is responsible for? Obviously he could not be bothered to looking into the job he and his department have done and are doing. Did he ever consider perhaps the Sheriff was busy doing his job? No. As usual this paper jumps to conclusion and chooses to smear the reputation of this department, its leader and every one who works there. When was the last time Applegate missed holidays with his family for work? Just as I thought...
48 hours later...
Two days ago the VBPD spokesman didn't know why this particular business
wasn't targeted. 48 hours later he has all the answers . Amazing what 48 hours of damage control can do. I don't understand why Mr. Stolle didn't immediately say he had nothing to do with this business. Doesn't he know what businesses his charity is affiliated with? Hopefully there are no inmates in the city jail who should have already been released that Mr. Stolle is also unaware of. Our "sheriff" may want to focus more on running his jail and less on his charity.
Slow news month
Stop by the FOIA office in Virginia Beach and see how active the Pilot reporters are trying to find/invent something to write about. Plenty of good news to report if they looked. That's not good enough.
Now they dream up a conspiracy that has no basis in fact.
What's next? Is Applegate going to accuse Stolle if the weather forecast is wrong?
Perhaps Applegate will next write a story about how Stolle can't prove he wasn't at the grassy knoll when Kennedy was shot.