CLEVELAND, OH – Steven Saris of Canton faces fresh charges today, according to a superseding indictment from a federal grand jury in Cleveland. Previously indicted for owning one illegal gambling business (IGB), the new charges allege a broader spectrum of infractions including tax evasion, conspiracy to defraud the United States, money laundering, and obstruction-related offenses.
The indictment details that between 2012 and 2022, Saris managed several IGBs in Ohio: Café 62, Lucky’s, Winner’s World, Spin City, and another in Springfield. To mask his involvement, others were purportedly nominated as the owners.
Despite allegedly earning over $4 million from the IGBs, Saris failed to file personal income tax returns from 2016 to 2021. Further concealment methods included destroying business records tied to each IGB and directing others to do the same. Additionally, Saris is accused of paying employees in cash, sidestepping employment taxes.
The indictment also states that during a search at his home, Saris hid his cell phone inside a toilet’s water tank to thwart investigators and lied about his association with Winner’s World.
If proven guilty, Saris could face up to five years in prison for each count of tax evasion, illegal gambling business, conspiracy, employment tax, and property destruction; and up to ten years for each count of money laundering. Sentencing remains at the discretion of a federal district court judge, contingent on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and related factors.