ERIE COUNTY, NY – Danielle K. Bush, a 31-year-old resident of Tonawanda, was sentenced on Tuesday by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to 2½ to 5 years in prison for stealing gaming tickets and placing fraudulent bets
. Bush, who worked as a server at a restaurant on Lake Shore Road in the Town of Hamburg, admitted to stealing tickets and processing fraudulent bets for customers on games of chance, including Quick Draw, Mega Millions, and Power Ball between June 2, 2019, and February 8, 2020. The theft resulted in an estimated total loss of approximately $50,000 to the restaurant.
The restaurant owner discovered the theft after conducting an internal audit of monthly billing statements from the New York State Gaming Commission in February 2020.
The audit revealed abnormally high gaming activity, unusual betting amounts, and unique betting patterns that corresponded with Bush’s work schedule. Video evidence further corroborated the crime, leading to Bush’s termination from her job.
On June 9, 2022, Bush pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony). As part of her guilty plea, Bush signed Confessions of Judgment to pay full restitution. However, she has not yet paid any restitution to the restaurant owner.
DA John J. Flynn commended Detectives Howard Widman and Scott Fraser of the Town of Hamburg Police Department for their work in the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik from the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau prosecuted the case.
