Here's something you probably didn't even know was illegal in the US, also known as "a free country": interstate transportation of gambling paraphernalia. Does that include poker chips, playing cards, lottery tickets? Probably not, but for one advertising executive, it means he's guilty of telling other people about online gambling.
William Hernan Lenis, his son, Will Lenis, and his nephew Manny Lenis
Even though wagering is illegal. Next time you look at the tax code, also note the IRS wants to know about any income earned through theft, and recommends taxpayers return stolen goods immediately. This is the level of bureaucratic logic we're dealing with here.
Papa Lenis also admitted to mailing ads about the website.
Just so it's chronicled properly, let's review: Prosecutors in a free country where betting on horse racing and buying state-run lottery tickets is okay but gambling online is not, have handed a criminal record to three ad executives because they bought into the idea freedom of speech was enshrined by the constitution of said free country, and as such had the nerve to tell other people about a foreign gambling operation based in a country where such freedom is allowed. The government didn't like what they were saying and nailed them for it.
It's a shame the Lenises had to cave to the federal authorities because of money. It would have been great to see this get tossed out of the Supreme Court and some sense of justice prevail.
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