`games Are Over,' Homicide Suspect Told Victim 
Co-workers Testify That 
Harry Butry Jr., On Trial In 
The Shooting Death Of His 
Estranged Girlfriend, Made 
Ominous Comments About Her 
And Their Two Children Prior

Allentown Man To Head Area Bank

By JENNIFER L. HENN; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, January 16, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





SCRANTON- The federal government is seeking a forfeiture of $24,972 in cash
seized last year in a raid of what officials call an illegal video poker
business. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 According to a request filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, Scranton,
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. McCann is asking the court's approval in a
forfeiture deal with William McGraw Sr. and McGraw Vending and Amusements
Corp., of Scranton. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The (money) represents the proceeds of conducting an illegal gambling
business," the request says. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The cash was seized during an investigation led by Barry C. Bittenbender,
special agent of the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation
Division, court documents say. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Jan. 7, 1997, search warrants executed at the office of McGraw Vending
and the residences of William McGraw Sr. and William McGraw Jr. resulted in
the seizure of approximately $70,935 in cash. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That money, claims the U.S. attorney's office, came from the McGraws'
illegal video poker operation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The federal government reached a deal on Dec. 9 with McGraw Sr. and the
estate of McGraw Jr., who died of an alleged cocaine overdose in June, that
allowed the family to keep $48,616 of the seized cash. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Court papers said $32,440 belonged to Lucille McGraw, wife of William
McGraw Sr. The agreement allowed him to keep $16,176 after he paid off his
son's tax debt. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The seizure stemmed from an undercover investigation conducted between June
1996 and January 1997 by the IRS, state police and state liquor control
enforcement officers, court papers said. The investigation included the
surveillance of the McGraws, McGraw Vending and Amusement Corp., and its
employees. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In September 1996 a confidential informant supplied Bittenbender with a
list of licensed liquor establishments where McGraw was operating illegal
poker machines, according to court documents. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Those establishments included the Market Street Inn, Lithuanian Club, Bil
Shiree Lounge, Elbow Inn, Flynn's Bar, Taurus Club, Blarney Stone, VFW Post
25, and Hackie's, all of Scranton; Papparazzi Food &amp; Spirits, For Pete's Sake
(Pete's Place), and Julia's, all of Old Forge; Leni's Happy Guest, Taylor; an

U.s. Wants Money Seized From Alleged Video Poker Ring 
The Cash Was Taken From A 
Scranton Vendor During A Raid 
As Part Of An Investigation Led 
By An Irs Agent

U.s. Wants Money Seized From Alleged Video Poker Ring The Cash Was Taken From A Scranton Vendor During A Raid As Part Of An Investigation Led By An Irs Agent