Crime <\/p>\n
EL PASO, Texas -- Allegations of El Paso County Sheriff's deputies gambling using betting boards on county time surfacedTuesday.<\/p>\n
Former deputy Joe Kluge initially made the claim in a social media post that Sheriff Richard Wiles was made aware of the gambling and turned a blind eye to it. He also alleged in an interview with ABC-7 that that high-ranking and command staff have participated in the scheme.<\/p>\n
According to Kluge, \"a current deputy lieutenant has been running a gambling scheme by selling Super Bowl squares at $350 a square.\"<\/p>\n
Sheriff Wiles told ABC-7 that he's not aware of any gambling within the Sheriff's Office, and added that no formal complaint has been filed.<\/p>\n
However, Kluge says he submitted information about the alleged gambling to the Texas Rangers, who in turn, turned the information over to the El Paso County Attorney's office.<\/p>\n
Wiles says gambling is illegal in the state of Texas under penal code 47.3 and would be treated as an illegal activity even in his office.<\/p>\n
Wiles adds that Kluge's allegations are politically motivated. He says he demoted Kluge several years ago for questionable behavior. Wiles indicated Kluge eventually resigned and took a job with one of his opponents running against him for sheriff of El Paso County.<\/p>\n
Kluge adamantly denies his allegations are politically motivated.<\/p>\n
The sheriff said he consulted with legal staff to make sure there is no ongoing investigation regarding illegal gambling.<\/p>\n
Wiles tells ABC-7 that his office will be sending an email out to all of his employees reminding them that this type of activity is both a violation of the law and a violation of department policy, adding employees should refrain from it. <\/p>\n
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El Paso County Sheriff accused of allowing deputies to partake in illegal gambling pools at work - KVIA El Paso<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Crime EL PASO, Texas -- Allegations of El Paso County Sheriff's deputies gambling using betting boards on county time surfacedTuesday. Former deputy Joe Kluge initially made the claim in a social media post that Sheriff Richard Wiles was made aware of the gambling and turned a blind eye to it. He also alleged in an interview with ABC-7 that that high-ranking and command staff have participated in the scheme. Continue reading