Woman in Florida Found Guilty of Deceit in Casino Petition Trial
In Gainesville, Florida, a 26-year-old former petition worker named M.G.B. was found guilty on 13 counts of personal identification fraud in 2025. The fraudulent activities occurred during a controversial 2021 ballot campaign aiming to expand casino gambling in Florida, backed by Las Vegas Sands Corp.
M.G.B.'s crimes involved submitting numerous fake petition signatures, a scheme that could have potentially extended her total possible sentence to a staggering 210 years. However, the minimum expected prison sentence is approximately three years when she returns to court later in 2025.
Following her arrest in August 2023, M.G.B. was held on an $80,000 bond and subsequently transferred between county jails. She pled not guilty but waived her speedy trial rights. Each of the 13 felony counts is a second-degree felony carrying up to 15 years in prison, exposing her to a potential maximum sentence of 195 years.
The fraudulent activities undermined the legitimacy of the petition process crucial to the expansion effort. Florida's strict enforcement against identity and financial crimes related to gambling expansion campaigns was highlighted by this case.
The failed casino gambling expansion in Florida saw the Seminole Tribe of Florida spending money to fight against the measure, while both sides accused each other of using dirty tactics during the campaign. The Marion County Supervisor of Elections called it "widespread fraud," noting that his name and that of his wife appeared on questionable petitions.
The implications of this case extend beyond M.G.B.'s sentencing. It underscores the need for increased scrutiny on petition drives and ballot initiatives related to casino gambling expansions in Florida. This case highlights vulnerabilities in the signature collection process and could prompt reforms or more rigorous oversight to prevent similar identity fraud in future campaigns.
It's worth noting that in April 2025, a 49-year-old woman from Lee County, Florida, was slapped with a 10-year prison conviction for wire fraud and money laundering. While this case is not directly related to M.G.B.'s, it further underscores the need for strict enforcement against identity and financial crimes in Florida.
References: [1] ABC Action News. (2025, March 1). Gainesville woman guilty of identity fraud in failed casino ballot campaign. Retrieved from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-gainesville/gainesville-woman-guilty-of-identity-fraud-in-failed-casino-ballot-campaign
[2] Florida Politics. (2025, March 1). Gainesville woman guilty of identity fraud in failed casino ballot campaign. Retrieved from https://floridapolitics.com/archives/370301-gainesville-woman-guilty-of-identity-fraud-in-failed-casino-ballot-campaign
