Jeffrey Conway Enters Plea to Gambling Charges

Sentencing in Green County is set for January 30, 2013.

MADISON — On November 14, 2012, Jeffrey Conway entered pleas to two counts involving commercial gambling in Green County Circuit Court. He entered a plea to one count of Commercial Gambling – Taking a Bet, and one count of Using a Wire Communication to Facilitate Sports Betting, both as a party to the crime.

The investigation began when a co-defendant, Werner Rast (who was sentenced on October 4, 2012), was arrested for a domestic incident. The gambling charges covered a several year period, and involved taking bets on college and professional football and NCAA tournament basketball. Mr. Conway is the owner of Old Smokey's Tavern in Monroe. The tavern was used to pick up winnings and pay off losses in the gambling operation.

Sentencing was set for January 30, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. A presentence investigation was ordered. Mr. Conway faces a maximum penalty of 3 ½ years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine on each count.

The state is represented by Assistant Attorney General Richard J. Dufour, who is acting a special prosecutor for Green County. The case was investigated by the Monroe Police Department and the Department of Justice -- Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).