A Metro Vice sergeant wants to know how two brothers convicted of gambling charges could be lucky enough to be among the first independent retailers authorized by Tennessee to sell lottery tickets.
Roger and Raleigh Dean Hunt pleaded guilty to gambling at both of their convenience store markets, Sgt. Rob Forrest said. One of those establishments, H&H Market, on Centennial Boulevard, was among the first independent shops granted the right to sell lottery games when the state lottery launches Feb. 10.
''It's kind of like taking a drug dealer and making him a pharmacist,'' said Forrest, stating that Metro police have a dossier of gambling complaints about the brothers dating back to the early 1990s. However, they were not arrested until September 1997.
Neither brother could be reached for comment last night.
Roger Hunt, 49, and Raleigh Hunt, 51, were charged with possession of a gambling device at the time of their arrest.
Both brothers later pleaded guilty, Forrest said.
''Why not pick a market where the owners and operators have never been in trouble?'' Forrest asked.
''We don't anoint retailers,'' said Lottery spokesman Will Pinkston, noting that at last count there were 350 approved retailers in Davidson County and the number would continue to grow.
And while he said he was not familiar with H&H Market, Pinkston said retailers must be approved if they meet requirements under the law.
The operators have to clear criminal background checks, credit checks and be in good standing with the state's Department of Revenue, Pinkston said.
State law prohibits anyone convicted of a gambling charge from operating as a lottery retailer.
But there are a few exceptions to that law. One of them allows convicted gamblers to participate if five years have lapsed since completion of their sentence.
That exception allows the Hunt brothers to participate.
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