Defendant in illegal gambling scheme admits to money laundering conspiracy

One of the defendants charged in an illegal gambling scheme admits guilt in federal court today. 

Admitting to charges of money laundering conspiracy, defendant Alfredo D. Leon Guerrero sat in a wheelchair before Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the District Court of Guam Thursday afternoon. He pleaded guilty to his part in an illegal gambling scheme.

The judge going over the evidence when Leon Guerrero stated in the courtroom “that’s a lot,” and, “let’s get it over with.”

Defense attorney Leilani Lujan telling the court her client is in a frail state. As KUAM reported, the feds uncovered that from March 2015 to December 2021, Leon Guerrero and his co-defendants allegedly conspired and agreed with each other and with others to conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct, and own all or part of an illegal gambling business involving bingo games sponsored by the Guam Shrine Club.

Court documents state Leon Guerrero was GSC’s president until December 2018.

The indictment handed down over the summer also names Michael Marasigan, Jose "Art” Chan, Jr., Christine Chan, Juanita Capulong, Minda San Nicolas, and Richard Brown. Federal prosecutors allege as a result of the conspiracy, bingo proceeds upwards of $34 million were deposited into various Guam Shrine Club bank and credit union accounts.

Defendants also allegedly gave false information when reporting its total revenues.

After admitting guilt, Leon Guerrero remained silent outside of the courthouse.  Leon Guerrero faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

But, prosecutors told the court today that sentencing is “not appropriate” at this time.

Trial for his co-defendants is set for December 12.