Nine of 13 defendants were found guilty Monday in a federal trial over instant bingo proceeds that were supposed to go to charity but were kept by the gambling operators. Chester "Chet" Simons, of Akron, the lead defendant in the case, was convicted of 73 counts, including operating an illegal gambling business, conspiracy and numerous charges of money laundering.

The case began in February 2002 with raids on 127 instant-bingo businesses. More than 500 law enforcement officers throughout northeast Ohio conducted the raids and confiscated more than $1 million in cash and numerous slot machine-style instant-bingo games, most of which were in Summit County.

The jury reached its verdict during its fourth day of deliberations as the trial began its fifth week before U.S. District Judge Peter Economus. Simons' attorney, Don Malarcik, said his client raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities. He said Simons may appeal.

"Chet is obviously disappointed," Malarcik said. "Today, however, he's more concerned about his family and his friends in this case than he is himself." Simons and others were accused of setting up sham charities or taking over legitimate charities so it would appear their gambling operations were legitimate.