Gaming donations<\/p>\n
Garrity\u2019s debate declaration came during one of her biggest fundraising hauls, around 85% of which came from skill game operators.\n<\/p>\n
Garrity received at least $4.5 million from skill-game interests during the latest fundraising period, donations that provided most of her campaign cash. The Pennsylvania Amusement and Music Machine Association, a trade group representing skill-game operators and other coin-operated entertainment businesses, contributed $2 million.\n<\/p>\n
The Pennsylvania Amusement and Music Machine Association, an industry lobbying group, contributed $2 million. John Conley, owner of Pittsburgh-based Pinnacle Vending, personally gave another $2 million. Joseph Rocca, owner of Rite Touch Distribution, contributed $500,000. In May, Pace-O-Matic founder Michael Pace provided a flight valued at $33,500 as an in-kind contribution, separate from the $4.5 million.\n<\/p>\n
Court documents identified Conley and his father as leaders of an alleged illegal gambling enterprise that paid nearly $100,000 in kickbacks to Rick Goodling, Pace-O-Matic\u2019s former compliance director<\/a>. Prosecutors alleged the payments bought protection from complaints about illegal machines. Neither Conley was charged in connection with that investigation, though Goodling later pleaded guilty<\/a> to money laundering.\n <\/p>\n The elder Conley previously owned and operated Buffalo Skills Games Inc. and J.J. Amusement Inc<\/a>. The two companies pleaded guilty to felony corrupt-organization charges involving the distribution of illegal gambling machines. They agreed to dissolve and forfeit $5 million<\/a> in assets. Conley appeared in court representing the companies but was not personally charged. He was, however, convicted in a gambling and money-laundering case<\/a> in 1995.\n<\/p>\n