Criminal Loansharking Operation Busted at Encore Boston Harbor Casino

05:54
23 Apr

A Massachusetts woman has been arrested and charged for running an illegal loansharking operation at the Encore Boston Harbor Casino. Kimanh Le, 50, of Quincy, was taken into custody on April 10 and charged with four counts of criminal usury, later pleading not guilty at her arraignment.

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Bailed

Judge Michael Doolin released Le on bail on the condition that she stays away from Encore, surrenders her passport, remains in the state, and doesn’t attempt to contact any witnesses.

Prosecutors allege that Le provided loans to fellow gamblers in the form of both cash and casino chips at the extortionate rates of 5% per day or 10% per week, breaking Massachusetts usury laws capping annual interest on loans at 20%.

Attorney General Maura Healey’s office gave a statement saying:

“Loan sharks operating inside of a casino provide usurious loans, targeting individuals who are problem gamblers, struggling financially or, for some reason, are unwilling to seek credit from legal sources. These charges are the result of an investigation by the State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit and Gaming Enforcement Division assigned to the Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and Encore Boston Harbor Casino.”

Kimanh Le is scheduled for a pretrial conference in Suffolk Superior Court on June 24, 2022.