Brett Parker’s Late Wife Budgeted for His Illegal Gambling Money, Prosecutors Say
As the federal trial against Brett Parker’s illegal gambling operation moves forward, some evidence suggests that Tammy Jo Parker, Parker’s late wife whom he was recently convicted for murdering, may have known about the business, and could have participated in it.
The evidence in question is the Parkers’ household budget, handwritten on calendars by Tammy Parker, with a line item to allegedly factor in her husband’s winnings from his illegal gambling operation.
However, Brett and Jack Parker’s defense attorneys have filed a motion to suppress the evidence in the illegal gambling trial. The attorneys are attempting to prove that Jack and his son Brett actually ran two separate illegal gambling operations, neither of which were big enough to require federal attention. If Tammy Parker’s handwritten household budget appears in court, it could be used as evidence by the prosecution that the Parkers’ illegal gambling business involved enough people to warrant a federal trial. To convict someone on a federal charge, the prosecution must prove that at least five people were involved in the illegal gambling operation, and so far only four people have been charged.
So far, neither father nor son face state-level gambling charges.
“It is unlikely the attached notes are enough to call Tammy Parker a person who ‘conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed, or owned’ the gambling business. She was simply adding a line on an informal budget for money that may or may not have materialized from Brett Parker’s booking business,” said the motion.
If the household budget is not used as evidence, there is one Secret Service report from a supposed witness alleging that he delivered gambling proceeds to Tammy Parker on one occasion. No other witnesses claim to have given money to Parker’s wife, however.
To support the motion, defense attorneys filed 8 pages of Tammy Parker’s notes from 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011, which feature entries indicating how much money she expected to receive from her husband’s illegal gambling operation.
A note from 2007 shows “81,131 Football” with “-5,000 can’t collect” written underneath. On the same page, she wrote, “Brett needs 40,000 for the year to pay bills.”
In a 2010, her notes indicate a “booking fund” line item with $20,000 written next to it. The same note appeared in 2011, with notes showing that Bryan Capnerhurst, Brett Parker’s other murder victim, would be paid 30% of the earnings off baseball and basketball bets. He should have received a percentage of the takes from football bets as well, but the note is not legible.
Tammy Parker was the family’s financial planner, creating annual goals, setting aside money for vacations and home improvements, as well as her children’s college tuitions and her daughter’s future marriage. Whether or not she was deeply involved in the illegal gambling operation remains to be seen – US District Court Judge Cameron McGowan Currie will rule on the motion, and other motions in the federal trial, on Thursday.
The jury trial is set to begin on September 16th.
The Strom Law Firm Defends Against State and Federal Criminal Charges, Including Illegal Gambling Rings
Our firm was founded by Pete Strom, the former US Attorney for the District of South Carolina. He, along with his team of attorneys, will zealously represent you in any state or federal court in South Carolina against criminal charges, including illegal gambling. Don’t miss out on your one opportunity to protect your rights and maintain your freedom. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have over 30 years of experience collectively. We offer free, confidential consultations. Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800.
