Convicted
Gambling Parlor Operator Seeks New Trial
Susan Bala, who was sentenced
to 27 months in prison for running an illegal gambling
business, says she has new evidence that should
earn her a new trial.
The owner of Racing Services Inc. claims in court
records that she has documents showing she never
intended to illegally operate here Fargo-based simulcast
sports-betting business.
Bala, 51, was convicted by a jury on Feb. 4 of
12 felonies in what authorities said was the largest
illegal gambling case in North Dakota history.
She had been ordered to begin serving her prison
sentence today, but U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson
extended her surrender date to Sept. 30.
Erickson said he wanted to give prosecutors time
to respond to Bala's motion for a new trial. They
opposed the delay.
"She raises no substantial question of law
or fact which is likely to result in an order for
new trial," Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Reisenauer
said.
Bala said documents found since her conviction
show there was no attempt to operate an illegal
gambling business.
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