SKOWHEGAN (AP) — Authorities say the former head of a Somerset County Veterans of Foreign Wars post made illegal payouts to patrons who played a video poker game at the facility, then tried to hide evidence from police.

Louis Padula entered no plea to charges of unlawful gambling, tampering with a witness, and falsifying physical evidence Wednesday in Skowhegan District Court.

The 71-year-old Anson resident was arrested in March after police received a tip about illegal gambling at the Madison VFW.

Police allege Padula was overseeing payouts at the VFW for several years and attempted to destroy evidence after an investigation was initiated.

Padula refused to comment, but his lawyer says Padula “has not done anything criminal.