Former state Rep. Sean Eberhart, R-Shelbyville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud in November in connection with the scheme involving the parent company of Gary's Majestic Star Casinos. In addition to the prison term, for which Eberhart likely will serve less than a year with good behavior, the 58-year-old must also repay Indiana the $60,000 he earned as a lawmaker in 2019, pay a fine of $25,000, and spend one year on probation.
Federal prosecutors have yet to disclose the identity of the person with whom Eberhart conspired. They've also been tight-lipped on whether any other current or former state lawmakers will be charged in connection with the gaming investigation. U.
S. Attorney Zachary Myers said Eberhart accepted the promise of a future job paying at least $350,000 a year with Spectacle Entertainment — former owner of Gary's Majestic Star Casinos and initial developer of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana — in exchange for Eberhart working to advance legislation favorable to Spectacle through the House. According to Myers, Individual A — identified as an owner of Spectacle — offered Eberhart the casino company job for helping to reduce a $100 million casino relocation fee to $20 million and enacting other state tax incentives benefiting Spectacle.
Eberhart text messages show he sought to "make it right for" Individual A, according to court records. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Sou.