Woman Allegedly Stabbed Her Husband to Death Over Illegal Gambling Ring in Massachusetts Home

Posted on: July 10, 2019, 01:00h. 

Last updated on: July 10, 2019, 09:21h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

An illegal gambling operation ran out of a home in Quincy, Mass., was allegedly the motive for a stabbing that led to the death of one man.

illegal gambling Massachusetts crime
It looks like a house out of Pleasantville, but it was the site of a gruesome alleged murder after a couple engaged in a fight over an illegal gambling enterprise. (Image: Tom Gorman/The Patriot Ledger)

Police say 46-year-old Huixian Liu stabbed her husband, 55-year-old Biqiang He, in a house in the town’s Wollaston neighborhood after the two got into a heated argument. He was transported to Quincy Medical Center, and later Boston Medical Center, where he died from his injuries on Sunday.

An illegal gambling operation was shut down inside the house two days earlier. It’s alleged that Liu was furious with her husband for his allowing of the city inspector to enter the house last week.

The police report says the couple’s daughter was inside the home at the time of the attack, and she pleaded with her parents to stop fighting “but they wouldn’t listen.”

An FBI search found no criminal records for Liu, but did reveal that she was born in China. Her immigration status is not clear. She has been charged with armed assault with intent to murder and is being held without bail.

Norfolk County district attorney spokesman David Traub said prosecutors will “examine the existing assault charges in light of the victim’s death.”

Mass Problem

Massachusetts legalized commercial gambling only in 2011 with its Expanded Gaming Act. But even in states where such activity remains outlawed, underground rings have been detected in even the nicest of communities.

The Patriot Ledger, which broke the news of the alleged gambling ring and subsequent stabbing, describe the Wollaston neighborhood as “quaint” and a “quiet.” The local news outlet said details regarding the gambling op weren’t immediately known, but police said they investigated the house after receiving a tip of “people going in and out” of the house.

Law enforcement did not have a search warrant but were granted access.

Wollaston is roughly 25 miles from the Plainridge Park Casino, a slots-only facility. The town is also now just 10 miles – though it can be an hour-long drive – from the $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor in Everett.

Underground Criminals Emerge

Combating illicit gaming operations are a constant problem for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Just last month, a Texas businessman and his family pleaded guilty to charges stemming from their running of one of the largest bookmaking businesses in the US. Larry Tillery, his wife Judy Kay, and son Brian accepted charges of money laundering and tax evasion.

Authorities say Tillery ran the sports betting business for three decades and used his used car dealership to launder the funds. Authorities are angling to retain more than $1.8 million in cash and assets belonging to the family.

Also last month, the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control revoked a liquor license for a bar in Paterson after allegations emerged its owner ran a cockfighting and illegal gambling business in the back room. Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and a felony in 40 – including New Jersey.