Bartender suspected of bookmaking

Greg Risling

WEST NEWPORT -- The owners of a popular restaurant could lose their

alcohol license after the arrest of one of their employees, who allegedly

took wagers from customers on sporting events.

Police arrested 31-year-old Timothy Wayne Cooper of Fountain Valley on

Tuesday on suspicion of running a bookmaking operation inside the Alley

Restaurant in the 4500 block of West Coast Highway. Cooper was able to

post $10,000 bail and awaits his arraignment, which is scheduled for

Friday.

Cooper’s arrest was made after a sting conducted by Newport Beach police.

Undercover detectives posing as customers placed several bets with

Cooper, who is employed as a bartender at the restaurant.

Police said the suspect was selling shares in betting pools on

professional sporting events. Bettors reportedly rolled dice and were

given betting slots. The winner was determined by the name aligned with

the score of the game.

The bets ranged from $5 to $200, and winner payouts were in the thousands

of dollars.

What was more alarming, according to authorities, was that the betting

was widespread and there appeared to be no attempt to conceal the illegal

gambling.

“Our guys didn’t have any problems making a bet,” said Sgt. Mike

McDermott. “They made bets for a few weeks and no one stopped them.”

Restaurant owners weren’t available for comment Tuesday.

Newport Beach police will likely forward the case to the state Department

of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The agency reviews improper conduct by

businesses holding a liquor license.

If and when the agency receives the information about the restaurant, a

parallel investigation will be launched. Some of the actions the agency

can take include suspending or revoking a license or levying a fine.

Agency spokesman Carl DeWing said it doesn’t bode well for a business if

an employee is involved in criminal activity.

“An employee who faces criminal accusations poses a serious problem to

the licensee,” De Wing said. “The licensee should be responsible for the

actions of their employees.”

Police said the investigation is continuing and they are unsure if other

businesses are involved in similar bookmaking activities.

Cooper’s arrest comes nearly two years to the day after police uncovered

a drug trafficking and bookmaking ring operating from bayfront bars and

restaurants. Police arrested 14 people on Nov. 10, 1997, and found six

pounds of cocaine, cash and handguns. Only one of those arrested,

47-year-old Michael Kent Hancock, is serving a prison term for the

offenses.