AG wants fire department's poker money

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 30 (UPI) -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett says a county fire department must surrender the nearly $41,000 it raised from poker tournaments.

The fundraisers for the rural Westmoreland County fire department were organized by Greensburg attorney Larry Burns, who faces misdemeanor gambling charges for allegedly running Texas Hold 'Em tournaments, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Wednesday.

A petition was filed this week in Cambria County seeking the $40,814 the fire department earned from the poker games.

Under Pennsylvania law, individuals and organizations cannot profit from illegal gambling, the newspaper reported.

Playing poker for money at a fire department hall, club or business that has a liquor license is illegal unless the tournament is a self-sponsored event.