Thanks to Roldo, and the Internet, the people of Northeast Ohio are finally starting to see a clearer picture of Dan Gilbert, the man betting $10s millions that more than 50% of Ohioans will risk the state's social and economic future and $ billions on him and casinos. Roldo first awoke real NEO to the "TRUTH ABOUT DAN GILBERT'S GAMBLING CHARGES", on October 19, and today Roldo brings forward first hand testimony that "STATE COP'S ARREST STORY DIFFERS FROM GILBERT'S VERSION", opening "A former Michigan state trooper tells a different story of Dan Gilbert’s arrest on operation of gambling business than the Cavs owner has been peddling to the news media." See video above for Officer Fielder's video statement.

Several hours after Roldo broke this development on the free Internet, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on Cleveland.com: "Retired Michigan police officer says Dan Gilbert's 1981 gambling operation was much bigger than Gilbert admits", which opens "John Fielder, a retired Michigan police detective, alleged that Dan Gilbert ran an illegal bookmaking operation in 1981 that was far more serious than the Cleveland Cavaliers owner has admitted. Gilbert was convicted of conspiring to violate the state's gambling laws and served three years probation."

The PD goes on to report:

Fielder, on Friday, said Gilbert lied during an Oct. 19 Cleveland City Club debate on Issue 3 when the Cavs owner downplayed the arrest as a sweep of dorm rooms by police who caught him and others exchanging football trading cards. Gilbert said in the debate that no money had changed hands. He made a similar statement this week in Columbus while on a cross-state tour rallying for Issue 3.

"When I learned Mr. Gilbert's characterization of what happened back in 1981, I agreed to tell the people of Ohio what really happened," said Fielder, 74, who retired in 1989 after a 25-year career in law enforcement.

The segment of the City Club debate where Dan Gilbert is asked about his arrest for gambling-related crimes, and he makes statements Fielder challenges, is found between minutes 6:00 and 7:20 of the embedded City Club video below:

What is most disturbing is that the audience at the City Club applauds Gilbert for being arrested in college for gambling-related activities... they laugh and seem to think this is cool. Even the mayor of Youngstown, who is supposed to be debating against Gilbert, high-fives Gilbert for getting busted in college for this.

Wonder who will be getting some VIP passes to Gilbert's casino... tickets in the owners box at the Q...!?!?

This inappropriate "community behavior" makes me think of Eternity's sadly parallel posting on REALNEO, today, "Savagery in America and the spectacle of a teenager's rape as public exhibition", which opens "In America -- in my country -- I fear we are losing the battle for our humanity. Some say we have already lost it. Deep down I think they may be right".

And, I see in my mind the painting that best captures this odd City Club scene, and so much about our leadership in NEO: "Woman Walks into Bar - Is Raped by Four Men on the Pool Table - While 20 Watch", by Sue Coe, painted two years after Gilbert's arrest.

I am so saddened to see our community presented this way, on the internet, at the esteemed City Club, with 100+ of our region's leaders laughing together with Gilbert about him being arrested in college for gambling.

Gilbert laughs outloud - rapists are worse!

Hopefully, Gilbert won't laugh his way to the bank with our money, as well.

Reported in the PD: "Mr. Gilbert was part of a serious organized bookmaking ring that threatened some of its victims with violence," said retired detective lieutenant John Fielder, who led the organized crime unit for the Michigan Department of State Police when Gilbert was arrested.

Need you know more about the self-appointed Casino Czar and sole beneficiary of Issue 3?