California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arraignment and charges against Eric Nguyen and Khan “Tina” Tran, who were charged in connection with an alleged gambling scheme that resulted in the theft of approximately $4 million from the 580 Casino in Livermore, California.
“My office stands ready to fight back against those who try to get rich quick by breaking the law,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Mr. Nguyen and Ms. Tran now face serious criminal charges for their actions. The California Department of Justice will do its part to tackle criminal activity in our state.”
The charges allege that the husband and wife duo conspired to cheat at the card game Baccarat while Tran was working as a dealer at the 580 Casino in Livermore. The complaint alleges that Tran would peek at the sequence of cards after shuffling and would convey the sequence to Nguyen, who would place significant wagers when he recognized the sequence of cards relayed by Tran.
The pair have been charged with Felony Grand Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft, and an enhancement alleging a theft of over $500,000. On May 6, 2020, Nguyen and Tran were arrested pursuant to California felony arrest warrants by the Harris County Constables Office, Major Offenders Unit in Harris County, Texas.
The complaint, filed with the Alameda County Superior Court, alleges that the defendants committed the felonies between 2015 and 2017. The charges announced today are the result of an investigation conducted by special agents with the California Department of Justice’s Division of Law Enforcement.