Casino-cheating ringleader pleads guilty in San Diego

One of the ringleaders of a group that cheated 29 casinos across the U.S. and Canada out of $7 million pleaded guilty to racketeering Friday in San Diego federal court, officials announced.

Van Thu Tran, 45, faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, along with forfeiture of any profits from the scheme. She was a leader of the so-called Tran Organization, according to court documents.

Tran was among 14 people indicted in San Diego in 2007. With her guilty plea, 12 have now been found guilty; two are fugitives, according to U.S. officials.

The scheme involved bribing dealers and supervisors to do "false shuffles" during blackjack and mini-baccarat games. The conspirators repeatedly won thousands of dollars during rigged card games, officials said.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego