The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission has filed a civil forfeiture case after announcing the seizure of alleged illegal gaming equipment at an Emporia gas station earlier this year.
The case involves the potential forfeiture of the five machines, as well as over $3,100 in currency, seized from the Sunoco Star Mart at 505 South Commercial as part of a joint effort involving Racing and Gaming and Emporia Police on St Patrick’s Day. Racing and Gaming Government Relations Manager and Law Enforcement Officer Randy Evans says the equipment was used for illegal gambling and illegal commercial gambling. The court filing also says the affidavit “seeks claims to the seized property only.”
Tushar Patel is listed as the owner of Emporia’s Sunoco. Evans says Racing and Gaming cannot confirm a criminal suspect at this stage of the court proceedings.
Evans tells KVOE News a decision on potential criminal charges will wait until the forfeiture case ends. No hearing dates have been posted on the Kansas Judicial Branch’s CaseSearch website.
