Chesco District Judge Used Campaign Funds To Gamble: AG

HARRISBURG, PA — A district judge used a campaign-fund PAC debit card to make withdrawls at casinos, and pay for hotel stays and laundry, according to Pennsylvania's Attorney General.

A grand jury investigation ended in charges against Chester County Magisterial District Judge Michael J. Cabry III, 59, of Coatesville. Cabry is accused of using $4,000 in campaign contributions for gambling at casinos in three states. The 45th Investigating Statewide Grand Jury announced charges late Wednesday against the judge, whose magisterial district office is in Honey Brook. Cabry's District Court covers Elverson and Honey Brook boroughs, West Brandywine, West Caln, Wallace, Honey Brook and West Nantmeal townships.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro's office reported Wednesday that Cabry misused campaign money for gambling at casinos in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and that Cabry violated campaign reporting requirements.

"Judge Cabry broke the law and undermined public trust in government by using campaign contributions for his own benefit," said Shapiro. "Restricting how campaign money can be used helps prevent corruption. As a candidate and public official, Judge Cabry had a duty to serve with integrity and uphold the law, instead he took advantage of the trust placed in him by supporters and the public."

In 2016, Cabry established the "Citizens for Cabry" political action committee (PAC) in order to collect and spend campaign donations in compliance with Pennsylvania campaign finance law, the Attorney General said. Cabry submitted several campaign finance reports related to this PAC, all of which were filed, sworn to, signed, and filed by Cabry in his capacity as a magisterial district judge, according to the AG's report.

Cabry failed to file campaign finance reports during the fall of 2017, despite dozens of purchases being made on the PAC's debit card for groceries, laundry services, hotel stays, and more cash withdrawals at casinos.

Shapiro's office also reported the grand jury's review of Cabry's campaign finance records show that, in 2017 alone, Cabry visited the Delaware Park Casino at least once per week, and withdrew campaign funds on several of those visits. Many reports failed to include cash withdrawals used by Cabry to gamble at various casinos, according to reports.

The grand jury found evidence that in 2017 Cabry used the debit card associated with the campaign account to make several purchases that were personal in nature and unrelated to his re-election campaign. Evidence presented to the grand jury also showed Cabry's purchases with this card were submitted on his campaign finance reports in 2016 and 2017 despite being used for personal purchases, the attorney general's office said.

Cabry's alleged illegal purchases include several withdrawals made at casinos in three states and filed as reimbursements to Cabry in his campaign finance records:

• An ATM withdrawal of $205 at Hollywood Casino in Dauphin County, Pa.
• An ATM withdrawal of $205.99 at Harrah’s Casino in Chester County, Pa.
• A withdrawal of $204.99 at Delaware Park Casino in Wilmington, Del.
• Three separate withdrawals totaling $751.98 in Ventnor, NJ, and Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City, NJ
• A withdrawal of $200 at Dover Downs Casino in Dover, Del.
• A payment of $489.00 at a hotel in Dover, Del., on the same day as the withdrawal at Dover Downs

Cabry has been charged with theft and election code violations. He is released on his own recognizance, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 26.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Megan Madaffari. The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Judicial Conduct Board.