Mike Baker of The Associated Press writes, in the Myrtle Beach Sun News that James Otis Henderson, 42, an accused ringleader in an illegal gambling operation, told an undercover agent that at least two county sheriffs in western North Carolina took bribes in return for providing protection for houses where her located his video poker machines. Henderson claims that Rutherford County Sheriff Jack Conner was working with federal authorities in December 2006 when he agreed to take $10,000 from Henderson in exchange for protection services. In addition, Henderson says he agreed to pay Conner an additional $1,000 per month.

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