Here’s a piece of common sense advice for anyone trying to hide evidence, don’t flush anything down the toilet that will cause a clog.

Christian Lusardi was charged with theft and rigging a public contest when the poker player from North Carolina allegedly flushed fake poker chips down the toilet at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.

Lusardi was playing in a $560 buy-in poker tournament at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey in January when he allegedly mixed in counterfeit poker chips. The 2,100 person tournament was suspended when the fake chips were discovered.

After a three month investigation, the Borgata announced yesterday that each player will be reimbursed their entry fee. Additionally, the top 27 players will take home $19,323.

Authorities reported that Lusardi flushed the fake poker chips down the toilet when he thought that the chips were spotted. Of course, they clogged the bathroom pipes, and guests below Lusardi’s hotel room experienced water dripping into their room. Maintenance was summoned and the chips were found to be the culprit of the clog.

It will cost the Borgata a cool $1.7 million between reimbursed tournament entry refunds and prize payouts. However, learning from their mistake, the casino has already introduced more secure chips for their upcoming tournaments. The Borgata will start using poker chips that can be detected with an ultraviolet light. DGE spokesman Kerry Langan stated, “The division is engaged in an industry-wide comprehensive review of all the existing tournament standards and those related to future tournament events.”

The 42-year-old Lusardi was arrested following the incident and brought to the Atlantic County Facility. His bail was set at $300,000. He is presently being held while he awaits his trial date.

Image via Wikimedia Commons