NEW ORLEANS -- A 92-year-old man with a rap sheet that dates back to the 1930s was busted Thursday for alleged illegal gambling and illegal distribution of prescriptinn drugs in the French Quarter.

After a months-long investigation by State Police, Mitch Schwartz, who faces racketeering and other charges, was arrested at his T-shirt shop at 335 Bourbon St.

Police said Schwartz's operation involved a game called Razzle that lured tourists with promises of free gifts and left them with empty wallets.

Police said Schwartz, who once was pardoned by former Gov. Edwin Edwards, is a legend in New Orleans' criminal community.

"His arrests date back to 1930, and that's just his adult arrests," said Trooper Tony Graffeo, with the State Police Gaming Division. "His rap sheet is as tall as I am. He's got arrests for white slavery, machine guns, possible links to organized crime."

Graffeo said Schwartz used his shop as a front for a huge illegal gambling operation.

"It's approximately about, a little over a $1 million-a-year enterprise -- just at that little small 335 Bourbon St.," Graffeo said.

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