District judge caught with campaign money for gambling

Magesterial District Judge Michael J. Cabry III was arrested in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware on Tuesday for reportedly using campaign money to gamble at casinos. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office has lodged a criminal lawsuit against him.

Cabry Faces Several Figures

According to Special Agent Paul Dormer's criminal complaint, West Caln's 59-year-old cabry is reported to have used $4,000 from contributions to his 2017 re-election bid to fund gaming trips to Atlantic City, Harrisburg and Dover, as well as other popular locations in the casino. Michael Cabry was convicted with one criminal act of fraud for stealing improperly, one instance of bribery, one misdemeanor, and four infringements on political finance regulations.

“Judge Cabry broke the law and undermined public trust in government by using campaign contributions for his own benefit. Restricting how campaign money can be used helps prevent corruption. As a candidate and public official, Judge Cabry had a duty to serve with integrity and uphold the law, instead he took advantage of the trust placed in him by supporters and the public.”

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Official press release

In reality, Cabry wagered over $110,000 but as he got lucky with a major six-figure win at Delaware Park, his overall losses were just over $9,000. But Cabry's assets were seriously drained by that time, the lawsuit claims agent dormer.

Suspicious Transactions On Record At Bank

During a search warrant served 3 years after the campaign had concluded, Agent Dormer discovered copies of campaign finance papers and bank documents at several locations within Cabry's home. Agent Dormer came across multiple payments listed as reimbursements to Cabry himself while reviewing those records.

Parts of these were on ATM withdrawals at dauphin county's Hollywood Casino, and Harrah's Chester, Delaware County casino. The cost report Cabry submitted, taking place at delaware park casino, ballys in Atlantic City and the Dover Downs casino in Delaware, has reported several related withdrawals.

For the period June 2017 to September 2017, a check of his bank accounts found multiple debits, but he did not file any campaign papers. Purchases of groceries, dry cleaning supplies, and restaurant and hotel bills were among the bank transfers. Cabry used to visit Delaware Park once a week, and on certain times even more often, according to the account records.

Cabry was prohibited to enter the grounds of the Honey Brook court as Chester County President Judge John Hall signed an order limiting his entry on Tuesday. He was also ordered to turn over access codes and office keys and his cases to other district judges were reassigned.

A preliminary hearing, set for Michael Cabry will October 26, before Senior Magisterial District Judge Leonard J. Brown of Bucks County.