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A former Connecticut funeral director who stole clients’ prepayments to fund his excessive gambling habit will spend the next seven and a half years in state prison.
Philip Pietras, 52, admitted to stealing from more than 170 people, many of whom are senior citizens who sought to limit the emotional and financial burdens placed on their loved ones by prepaying for their funerals. But instead of placing those funds, meant for caskets and burial services, in escrow accounts, Pietras pocketed the money to gamble.
Pietras accepted a plea deal from the state, and prosecutors expect him to enter a guilty plea on Oct. 23 and be formally sentenced on Jan. 22, 2027.
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On Nov. 3, 2026, voters in Allen County will be asked, “Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in Allen County?” If a simple majority votes “yes,” Allen County would be able to compete for a commercial casino license by fielding bids and presenting the project to the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC).
Vote Yes for Allen County Casino claims a casino in Fort Wayne would provide tax relief for residents and funds for infrastructure, public safety, and schools. It would also help small businesses by bringing in new visitors to the city.
A yes for jobs, a yes for economic opportunity, a yes to support our community,” the narrator says during the commercial. “A new casino would have a positive impact on our county, and we have the power to make sure it lands here, where our community can benefit.”
What is Jungle Queen?
For the AiA, however, the longer-term ambition for Africa Safer Gambling Week extends beyond reducing the size of the offshore market.
Kesitilwe says the AiA also wants to develop a clearer picture of problem gambling across Africa and use that evidence to support engagement with governments and policymakers.
“We also, from the point of view of the Alliance, intend to do Africa-wide studies around prevalence of problem gambling in different markets, obviously working with regulators and associations,” he says.
