The thing to do if you wanted to screw with someone who would not pay and they plan to leave the country, is, have them charged with a felony. The amounts that have been stolen are over $500 and I believe that is the minimum for a felony count. Along with a few other charges. Is the DA in Reno interested in keeping someone in the country?
The $500 you reference is the different between petty and grand theft. It was $400.00 before January1st of this year, now it is $950, but this is in California. I am not sure what the dollar threshold is in Nevada, which is where the crime, if there is one, occurred.
What would need to be done here is kinda what I do for a living, so here is what someone would need to start doing right now to actually take this case criminal.
-File a report with the Reno Police Department. It would be an initial report with an officer, or possibly an online report. This will generate a case number for you. Something like this, where you have multiple victims in multiple geographic areas, if WAY too complex for a patrol officer, but the detectives can't conduct an investigation without an existing case where a case number is generated.
-Whatever you initially file has to be short but impactful. Whatever detective this goes to has got a desk full or reports that probably are easier, less complex, and more likely to get a conviction that this deal would be. You need to show him that there is a victim/s, that the dollar amount of fraud/loss is substantial, that the suspects are identified and locatable, and that it is worth him putting in his time and effort. Believe it or not, there guys pick and choose what they want to work, and whatever is not chosen gets cast aside and never pursued.
-Once the report is filed, you need to find out the person who will be handling this and arrange a meeting. Take them to lunch, detectives love free food. When you meet with them, give them an overall summary of what has happened, what you want to happen, and how you can assist the detective. You should have detailed financial numbers, documentation of the tournament occurring, prize funds, etc. Written and signed statements from ALL of the victims who want restitution (the prize amount they are owed). Any sort of receipts from the hotel, purchases, etc. Contact info for all victims who must testify. All nice and neat, organized, and ready to go for the detective. If you don't do all the work, it will not get done and this won't go anywhere.
-But here is the big one: What law has been broken? I don't know Nevada law, but here in California, for someone to be convicted of grand theft, burglary, commercial burglary, embezzlement, you have to show intent to commit the crime. If tony sticks to his story about the other parts of the show/ tournaments that didn't bring in revenue, there is not intent to defraud and this whole thing is a freaking waste! So figure it out and be specific, like find the penal code numbers and sections you think would apply. Be willing to testify, having other victims/ witnesses ready to testify, etc.
If this was here in California, and I believe actioncentral lives in the San Joaquin County area, I would say don't waste your time. The D.A. out there is worthless and would never take something like this. The only county in NorCal/ Central Valley that is any good is Santa Clara, but I think this has to be in Reno.
I think small claims is the way to go, but all of this is IMO and based on my current and very recent experience in such matters. There are way more knowledgeable people out there than me, but from the sounds of things, if you are going to make a move, you should get your ass in gear.
