Judge sends billards promoter off to jail
By CINDY CLAYTON, The Virginian-Pilot
© October 11, 2003 | Last updated 10:27 PM Oct. 10
CHESAPEAKE -- A judge found billiards promoter Barry S. Behrman guilty Friday of violating probation a second time since his conviction last year on illegal gambling charges.
Behrman was sentenced to six months in jail, but will receive credit for the 72 days he has served since his arrest in July.
``Mr. Behrman abused the court,'' Circuit Judge Bruce H. Kushner said during Friday's hearing. ``He took advantage of the court assisting him in making a living. He thinks he can hustle the world.''
Last month, Kushner allowed Behrman to leave jail temporarily so that he could preside over the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships at the Chesapeake Conference Center. Behrman returned to jail the day after the tournament ended.
Kushner said he was releasing the billiards promoter last month because the tournament was the ``principal time of year when Mr. Behrman can make a living.''
See the complete Pilot, exactly as in print
- View stories, photos and ads
- E-mail clippings
- Print copies
Log in or learn more
Email this Page
Print this Page
Get Email Newsletters
But the tournament took place during the week that Hurricane Isabel swept through Hampton Roads. Behrman told Kushner on Friday that he lost $50,000.
Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney D.J. Hansen told the judge that Behrman had failed drug testing during the tournament. Behrman had told his probation officer that he had used prescription drugs that were a year old, Hansen said.
Since he was given probation last year, Behrman has been under court order to take regular drug tests, which he has failed several times, according to court records. He also has failed to complete drug rehabilitation, court records show.
Behrman will be on probation again when he is released, and if he fails a drug test, Kushner said, he will be sent to prison to serve about six years that were suspended when he was convicted last year of running an illegal gambling operation, illegally selling alcohol and failing to file a certificate for a business license.
Authorities charged Behrman with running illegal gambling parties in his $625,000 home on Audubon Circle in the Warrington Hall subdivision.
Behrman told Kushner Friday that he has had to sell the house and now is in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service.
Court records show that the IRS filed a lien against Behrman, seeking $18,416.26 in unpaid quarterly taxes in connection with his business, Q-Master Billiards in Virginia Beach. The paperwork, filed in Chesapeake Circuit Court in July, shows that the lien is for the tax period ending in September 2002.
City records show that Behrman also owes a little more than $2,000 in taxes to the city of Chesapeake.
Next week, Behrman is scheduled to appear in Virginia Beach General District Court on a charge that he failed to pay business taxes to that city in June for the billiards hall on Princess Anne Road.
Virginia Beach authorities said that Behrman sent a check for the taxes, but it bounced. He paid the taxes later, but still must appear in court Oct. 14.
Behrman was convicted in December in Virginia Beach of two misdemeanors for failing to pay more than $60,000 in back taxes and fees related to the billiards hall. He later paid his bill in full, authorities confirmed.