In the first case of its kind to proceed to trial in the State of Florida, Mr. Markus obtained a not guilty verdict in the trial of a businesswoman, Gale Fontaine, who had been charged with running a gambling house.
The State had charged Ms. Fontaine and a number of other operators of “senior arcades”, places where senior citizens could play machines for low stakes. The other operators cut deals, but Mr. Markus obtained the first not guilty verdict in this area after a trial that was vigorously prosecuted by the State of Florida and covered daily by the local media.
Here is the article (pdf) covering the verdict, which was on the front page of the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Since this case, Markus has been the go-to lawyer for advice on how to legally operate arcades in Florida. Below is the picture from the Sentinel which was prominently placed above the fold on the front page.
More Not Guilty Verdicts
After obtaining this not guilty verdict, the Firm has handled a number of other high-profile and high-stakes cases alleging gambling, including recent internet cafe charges involving over 50 defendants. David Markus and Margot Moss obtained a dismissal for their client and business owner, Mazen Salloum, before the trial in that matter.