Boss of casino cheating ring pleads guilty

updated 8:39 a.m. ET April 3, 2008

SAN DIEGO - A fired card dealer accused of leading a crew that swindled casinos out of $7 million has pleaded guilty to multiple charges.

Federal prosecutors say it's one of largest cheating schemes ever broken up.

Phuong Quoc Truong, 42, ran the San Diego-based operation that hit 16 casinos nationwide. The scheme involved bribes to casino supervisors and card dealers and used blocks of unshuffled cards.

Truong, who pleaded guilty Wednesday to racketeering conspiracy and theft charges, faces up to 20 years in prison.

He is the seventh of 19 members of the ring to plead guilty.

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