After reading about this New Mexico resident, I won't feel so bad next time I'm bad-beat in my weekly 20 dollar poker game. I have to wonder about the New Mexico penal system as well that allows for a felon to try and avoid jail time by being successful at gambling. Odd story to say the least...
By the Associated Press
A New Mexico man has been sentenced to prison after he asked to repay his investment scam victims through poker tournament winnings, but failed to find luck at the card table.
Samuel McMaster Jr. was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years. He pleaded guilty last year to charges of stealing nearly $450,000 from 23 investors.
Prosecutors had agreed to delay the ex-insurance agent's sentencing after he asked to attempt to earn money for restitution. The agreement included broad language that allowed those attempts to include gambling.
A lead prosecutor with the state Securities Division says she is not aware of similar cases, and that prosecutors had been aware of his intentions.
State officials say that as a result of McMaster, they will probably examine the ways in which restitutions are made.