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A state police trooper falsely accused by a woman of raping her while employed at Mohegan Sun Casino was among four charged Thursday with running a gentlemen&rsquo;s club where prostitution and gambling was taking place.
				Trooper Robert E. Covington Jr., 48, of Olyphant, is identified in court records as co-owner of Sinners Swing Gentlemen&rsquo;s Club in Mayfield where exotic dancers were encouraged to perform &ldquo;extras&rdquo; to earn additional money.
				Covington, along with his business partner, David P. Klem, 39, of Eynon, opened the gentlemen&rsquo;s club in March 2018. The club&rsquo;s opening occurred during a pending criminal case against Christine Cromer, 40, of Plains Township, who accused Covington of raping her inside an unmarked state police cruiser outside the casino in Plains Township.
				At the time, Covington was assigned to the state police Bureau of Gaming Enforcement at the casino where Cromer was employed as a beverage server.
				A Luzerne County jury convicted Cromer on two counts of false reports following a trial in April 2019. She was sentenced to six-to-16 months in jail.
				Covington, a 13-year veteran of the state police, was placed on restricted duty when the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigations launched an investigation in November 2018. He has since been suspended without pay pending resolution of charges filed against him.
				Investigators used undercover state troopers and questioned exotic dancers and former dancers at the club. Search warrants were also served at the club and on cellular phones.
				According to the grand jury&rsquo;s presentment, Covington would open the club, stock supplies, perform cleaning duties and manage the club&rsquo;s financial books and records. He would also collect door fees and collect cash from patrons for &ldquo;extras,&rdquo; a reference to sexual activity in the VIP Lounge or the club&rsquo;s Champagne Room.
				Covington also provided payouts from gambling machines that were seized when the state police Liquor Control Enforcement served search warrant at the club.
				Several exotic dancers who testified before the grand jury claim they were encouraged, mostly by Klem, to perform &ldquo;extras&rdquo; if they wanted to earn more money than tips. Patrons who paid for extras would give the dancers money who then gave half to Klem.
				The grand jury presentment alleges Covington and Klem often communicated by phone or text messages about how much money the club earned each night. During text messages, Covington complained about a patron throwing up in a urinal and they needed more urinal deodorizers. They also discussed making a profit by selling energy drinks.
				Covington on Feb. 20, 2020, sent a text to a state trooper assigned to the Bureau of Gaming Enforcement stating, &ldquo;Oh, did I tell you I&rsquo;m a silent partner in a strip club?&#8230;I went in halves with my friend in 2018. I told him I can&rsquo;t have any hand in daily operations till I hit my 20 yr mark, lol. I&rsquo;m almost making my PSP salary there,&rdquo; the presentment alleges.
				&ldquo;Members of the Pennsylvania State Police take an oath to seek justice without consideration of class, color, creed or condition and that means conducting thorough and unbiased investigations into our own troopers when necessary,&rdquo; stated Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the state police.
				&ldquo;The criminal conduct uncovered in this case betrays the trust of the communities we serve and we hope the investigation and the resulting charges demonstrate our department&rsquo;s commitment to fairness and transparency,&rdquo; Evanchick noted.
				Covington surrendered at the state police Dunmore barracks on charges of corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy, prostitution and related offenses, gambling, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal use of communication facility, unsworn falsification to authorities and a violation of submitting a financial interest statement. He was released on $100,000 unsecured bail.
				Klem was charged with corrupt organization, criminal conspiracy, prostitution and related offenses, gambling, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and criminal use of communication facility. He was released on $100,000 unsecured bail.
				Michael Ball, 49, of Dalton, a club manager, was charged with corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy, prostitution and related offenses and gambling. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.
				Deanna Tallo, 32, of Throop, a club dancer and manager, was charged with corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy and prostitution. She was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

State trooper among those charged with prostitution, gambling at gentlemen’s club