Casino's Cash Cage Supervisor Accused of Embezzlement

An Agua Caliente Casino employee was arrested on suspicion of embezzling cash from the Rancho Mirage casino by using the identities of casino patrons, authorities said Monday.

Karl Douglas Walton, 43, of Banning, was booked into the Indio Jail at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of embezzling more than $400 and other charges, according to jail records. Walton was released on $60,000 bail the next day.

The investigation began when sheriff's investigators received a report earlier this month of embezzlement and fraud involving an employee from the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, said sheriff's Lt. Greg Ammons. The lieutenant said that during the investigation information was gathered that indicated Walton was embezzling "large sums of money" under different identities of other regular casino guests.

Ammons said that the amount of money allegedly embezzled would not be released because of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators believe Walton's position at the casino as a "cash cage supervisor" helped him to carry out the scheme.

A search warrant was served Thursday just before Walton's arrest at his home in Banning in the 200 block of North Phillips Road where investigators seized evidence, according to Ammons. An arraignment is tentatively set for Wednesday.