Charges have been filed against the Villa Hotel in Richwood.
Sgt. Tiffany Meeks, with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, confirmed administrative charges had been filed against the Villa Hotel’s liquor permit
On Friday, the Ohio Investigative Unit, a division of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, executed a search warrant at the Villa Hotel, 12 W. Blagrove St., Richwood. Agents removed at least three machines suspected to be video gaming machines.
Meeks said the Ohio Investigative Unit filed administrative charges including gambling- acquire, possess, control, or operate a gambling device; game of chance for profit or scheme of chance; operating a gambling house; electronic video gambling device; and recklessly permitting public gaming.
The administrative charges, filed with the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, could result in a fine, a suspension of the bar’s liquor permit or even a revocation of the permit. Officials said the case could take months before the Liquor Control Commission actually hears and rules on the case.
Meeks added “criminal charges are pending,” though they have not yet been filed. Officials did not go into detail as to whether the criminal charges would be filed against an individual or against the business.
Deb DeWolfe, manager at the Villa Hotel, said the bar and restaurant was closed for a while Friday, but was reopened for business Friday evening.
The Ohio Investigative Unit is the only agency in the state authorized to file the administrative charges against a liquor license.
While officials would not comment on this specific case, they said most investigations begin with a complaint. That complain could come from anyone, but the Ohio Investigative Unit is required to follow up on all complaints. The Ohio Investigative Unit uses undercover agents to investigate the complaints.
Dan Tierney, a spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, said he could not comment on this specific case, but said laws about games of chance are pretty clear.
“Ohio law bans slot machines unless they are at one of the state’s casinos,” Tierney said.
He added, “If they are paying out cash prizes, they are in violation of the law, and that makes these investigations very easy.”