Judge Says FBI Ruse Violated Rights Of Las Vegas Hotel Guest In Gambling Case

[Purveyor]

LAS VEGAS — A federal judge says the FBI violated the rights of a wealthy Malaysian businessman when agents posed as Internet repairmen to get into his Las Vegas suite during the World Cup soccer tournament last summer.

A lawyer for Wei Seng "Paul" Phua calls the Friday ruling by U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon a victory for freedom.

The attorney, David Chesnoff, said authorities can't break something inside a person's home then pose as repairmen to get inside.

The judge ruled that evidence seized in July from Phua's luxury villa at Caesars Palace can't be used if the government presses forward with charges that he operated an illegal gambling business.

Officials with the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Las Vegas didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/300341931.html