US citizens jailed for gambling

In the never ending sags about the legality of online gambling by US citizens the authorities are now using hardball tactics by jailing everyday people  who refuse to testify against casinos. In a new twist Nicholas Zicarelli was offered immunity if he testified against the online casino he occasionally used meaning that would not be prosecuted for his crime. He chose however to use the Fifth Amendment which is the US version of the right to remain silent without indicating guilt and he is not the first to do so but that was not accepted by US Attorney Paul Becker who insisted online players should be jailed. Mr Zacarelli’s attorney Mr Kenneth Hensley claims that the government are attempting to bully his client into testifying and have no legal right to commit him to jail. “ He is a law abiding citizen who doesn’t want to be dragged into this investigation” said Hensley but it seems he might remain in jail for some time until an investigation is completed. The UIGEA is still the subject of considerable opposition in some quarters but it seems the law enforcers are not sympathetic to that and continue to stick to the letter of the law.