BZ770 2 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...ts/5791244.html Casino gets check for Barkley's gambling debt LAS VEGAS - Former NBA star Charles Barkley has retired his debt to a Las Vegas Strip casino that sued him after he failed to pay $400,000 in gambling loans. But the civil lawsuit remains open, and it's going to cost Sir Charles $40,000 more to get out of the legal doghouse. ``We received a check this afternoon from Mr. Barkley, and it's been sent to the district attorney,'' said Jennifer Dunne, spokeswoman for Wynn Las Vegas. The resort filed a civil complaint May 14 in Nevada state court alleging Barkley failed to repay four $100,000 casino markers, or loans, received last Oct. 18 and 19. ``We've been paid in full,'' Dunne said. ``The rest is the district attorney fee.'' Clark County District Attorney David Roger said the case will remain open, with Barkley facing possible criminal prosecution, until he pays a 10 percent processing fee. ``We've been in contact with his representative,'' Roger told The Associated Press. ``We expect a check for $40,000 within the next few days.'' Barkley, a Turner Network Television basketball analyst, said during a pre-game show Monday that he was to blame for the outstanding gambling debt. ``I screwed up and didn't pay them in a significant amount of time,'' Barkley said. ``Could they have handled it differently? Yes. But it was my fault.'' The 45-year-old Barkley also said he would stop gambling, at least for a while. ``For right now, the next year or two, I'm not going to gamble,'' he said. ``Just because I can afford to lose money doesn't mean I should do it.'' TNT spokesman Jeff Pomeroy said a Barkley representative sent a $400,000 check Monday by overnight delivery to the Wynn Las Vegas collections department. But Roger said Barkley's obligation grew to $440,000 once a civil lawsuit was filed. ``He had an opportunity to pay representatives of the Wynn hotel and failed to pay,'' the prosecutor said. ``Once we open a case, the assessment is due and payable.'' Roger had promised to file felony theft or bad check charges if Barkley didn't pay the Wynn debt. A theft conviction could carry a penalty of one to 10 years in state prison. A felony bad check conviction could bring one to four years. Barkley played 16 NBA seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, and played on the USA Olympic ``Dream Team'' in 1992 and 1996. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star and was league MVP in 1993. He has talked openly about his gambling, estimating during a May 2006 interview with ESPN that he'd gambled away about $10 million over the years. It's no secret that he has a gambling addiction. Hope he can kick it. I have always been proud of him being an Auburn man, and was one of my sports heroes as a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthLink02 8 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 It is time to stop gambling, imo I understand he has the money but 400k is really just....I mean, THAT IS A LOT I am very glad to hear him say he won't gamble anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aumd03 2 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 This whole thing with Charles astounds me. I've heard all the radio hosts and bloggers say that Charles has a real problem and needs to give up gambling. To that I agree. But I also say, he's got the money to burn if he wants. But these are the same people that whine because we don't have a lottery in this state so that people that don't have the money can do the same d@mn thing. I guess I'm missing something. Anyone care to enlighten me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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