8 charged in Florida with $5M theft from casino

MIAMI – Eight people accused of stealing more than $5 million from a Florida casino operated by a Native American tribe are facing dozens of charges.

Miami federal prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday that the group tampered with gambling machines at the casino run by the Miccosukee tribe. The machines would generate credit vouchers that were then exchanged for cash.

Prosecutors say the money was used for things such as purchases of real estate, investments, vehicles and even children’s prepaid college funds. The scheme ran from January 2011 to May 2015.

The 63-count indictment charges the eight defendants with computer fraud, embezzlement, money laundering and making false statements to law enforcement. Four are former employees of the casino.