DAYTON, Ohio -- Authorities said people who operate bingo halls illegally in Montgomery County could go to prison for their operation.

The Ohio Attorney General Office's is conducting a bingo crackdown, a move that is the talk of the courthouse and the people who work there. It is not a violent crusade, but the attorney general office’s said the investigation is no laughing matter.

Authorities said eight people faced a judge Tuesday morning and are facing charges that range from racketeering to money laundering.

Anthony Van Noy represented Michael York, who was indicted and now faces trouble with the law in connection with two of his businesses. Van Noy said the long-running bingo investigation by the state attorney general’s office is really a waste of time and malicious.

Van Noy said, “I believe police are engaging in a witch hunt of sorts.”

Attorneys for the defendants said they cannot find any laws that were violated. The attorney general’s office said bingo profits are supposed to go to a specific charity and no cash should go anywhere else.

Authorities said there were eight individuals in court on Tuesday morning. The judge released all of them on their own recognizance as the case moves forward.

Officials said there are also eight businesses facing trouble. Those cases will be in court in a couple of weeks.