ON THIS DAY - 15th JANUARY

On this day in 1995 Reid E. McNeal, along with co-conspirator Ronald D. Harris, was charged  with Attempted Theft by Deception and Conspiracy. Ronald Harris worked for the Nevada Gaming Control Board.  His job was to analyse the software used in slot machines in order to determine if there were any system errors.  As such he had access to the codes used to manipulate the machines.  By inputting a certain sequence he could guarantee a large payout.  However he was known to the authorities as an employee and therefore McNeal, an old school friend in need of money was used. 

They were caught when they won the $100,000 payout at Bally’s Park Place Hotel with odds of 230,000-1 and the hotel staff were suspicious of Harris's behaviour.  The Police raided their hotel room and found equipment used to rig the machines in his room.

Both were charged by New Jersey police with computer fraud and attempted cheating. McNeal's charges were dropped as he gave evidence against Harris who admitted to over twenty separate accounts where he rigged the jackpot in both Las Vegas and Atlantic City Casinos. By the end of his trial, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.