Ebola and Comedy Don't Mix, . . . in a Casino

A Cleveland resident, intending an ill-advised joke, informed a dealer in the Cleveland Horseshoe Casino that he was there as a way to avoid his ex-wife, who was stricken with Ebola while in West Africa.

"According to a Municipal Court filing, Emanuel Smith’s comment 'caused panic' in the downtown casino, a portion of which was shut down as a result of Smith’s claim. The closure, investigators allege, caused the business to suffer 'a large financial loss.'
Smith was arrested at his Cleveland home and charged with inducing panic, a felony, and criminal trespass. He was booked into the Cuyahoga County jail, where he is being held in lieu of $10,000 bond."

Ref: The Smoking Gun

Did he tell an Ebo-lie?

Inducing Panic isn't a charge you see every day.

"No person shall cause the evacuation of any public place, or otherwise cause serious public inconvenience or alarm, by doing any of the following:
(1) Initiating or circulating a report or warning of an alleged or impending fire, explosion, crime, or other catastrophe, knowing that such report or warning is false"

Ref: Ohio Revised Code, Title XXIX Crimes-Procedure, Chapter 2917: Offenses Against the Public Peace, Section 2917.31 Inducing Panic

Apparently Mr. Smith's comment is considered initiation of a false report of a catastrophe.

I bet he wishes he'd seen this video before trying to be funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtBwp2lYDPg

I betcha making Ebo-lie carries a stiffer penalty than if it was true that he abandoned his sick wife in West Africa and didn't tell anyone.

Its a good thing too. There's quite a bit of it on this board.

Given that dealers in the Cleveland Horseshoe Casino hit soft-17 on the lower limit 6-deck games, DonDiego suggests causing patrons to evacuate the premises is actually a public service.

Likewise, communicating facts about Ebola and suggesting means by which the threat to US citizens might be mitigated might also be considered a public service.

They need to nominate him as the Panic Czar

PJ, don't confuse our recognition of gross ineptness as panic. Obama couldn't manage his way out of a paper bag. He talks a good story................hope and change, yes we can!


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