The U.S. Treasury Department levied an $8 million penalty Friday against one of the largest card clubs in California, accusing its management of ignoring loan sharks, failing to investigate unusual transactions and all but defending anonymous gambling. In a 12-page order issued Friday, the department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network accused Artichoke Joe's-a 38-table card club based just outside of San Francisco-of numerous and pervasive failures to report suspicious activity as early as 2009 to late this year. FinCEN said some of the behavior, which included "suspicious transfers of high-value gaming chips" and even "flagrant criminal activity," continued after two of...
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