Suspects in a Gold Eagle Casino cheating case were in North Battleford provincial court Monday for their first appearance.
But it was only a brief appearance for those charged and their counsel as lawyers agreed to adjourn the matter to June 20.
Christopher Belanger, Reuben Bear, Ceciellia Swiftwolfe, Ken Mark, Christopher Stone-Spyglass, Wade Wang and Ziaojun Xhuang all are charged with theft over $5,000 as well as the criminal offence of "cheat at play." The accused include both players and a live-dealer in table games at the casino. The activity is alleged to have taken place over about 18 months.
A two-year investigation by the RCMP led to charges being laid in April.
Five of the seven accused - Belanger, Bear, Mark, Swiftwolfe and Stone-Spyglass -- were present in court before Judge Violet Meekma. Also on hand were counsel for four of those present. Stone-Spyglass has yet to secure counsel, while two other lawyers appeared by phone representing Wang and Xhuang.
