The State - News from Dec. 29, 1985

Police broke up an alleged $100,000-a-week bookmaking operation based in Emeryville and then manned the phones to take dozens of bets from unsuspecting gamblers. The calls, including one from a man who wagered $3,300 on two NBA basketball games, were tape-recorded. Those who placed losing bets at least will not have to pay off, officers said, but those who successfully predicted the outcome of various college and pro sporting events would be wise not to try to collect. “It’s like winning the lottery and finding out you bought a counterfeit ticket,” one officer in the Bay Area city said. Four people were arrested, including Frank Kearns, 59, San Jose, owner of the condominium that police said was headquarters for the betting parlor. Also arrested and booked on suspicion of bookmaking were Steven Phillips, 42, of San Mateo; Tara Braun, 29, of San Francisco, and Susan Christopher, 46, of San Pablo.