Ottawa Mayor Robert Eschbach, in his role as city liquor commissioner, said Tuesday he might take action in a week or two against the liquor licenses of three bar owners recently convicted of attempted gambling.

The bar owners are: Gultekin J. Gocmen, Berta's Tap, 616 Clinton St.; Jane M. Jobst, Jane's Pub, 1137 W. Main St.; and Kenneth M. Cusick, Kenny's Tap, 401 W. Norris Drive. They all pleaded guilty in late August to attempted gambling, in connection with video gambling machines in their bars.

The 55-year-old Gocmen and the 61-year-old Jobst were sentenced to pay fines and costs of $1,000 each and to be on court supervision until Dec. 21. Cusick was sentenced to pay a fine and costs of $1,000 and to be on court supervision until Aug. 27, 2010. Cusick had a prior gambling conviction from 2003. The cases were prosecuted by the La Salle County State's Attorney's Office, with Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. presiding.

Ottawa Police seized five machines from Gocmen, four from Jobst and three from Cusick. After the guilty pleas, the machines from the 55-year-old Gocmen and the 61-year-old Jobst were ordered returned to their owner, Variety Specialties and Amusement Co. in Lacon. Gocmen and Jobst were both represented by Peoria attorney Daniel G. O'Day.

O'Day represented William P. "Pat" Prather, owner of Variety Specialties and Amusement Co., a few years ago during the federal government's case against him for tax fraud, gambling and illegal possession of guns.

The machines from the 42-year-old Cusick were ordered returned to Metro Amusements in Streator. Cusick was represented by Ottawa attorney Eric Miskell.

Police also seized gambling materials that were forfeited to them, as well as money that was forfeited to the state's attorney's office.

Eschbach has said the first two violations by a bar of the city's liquor license code can result in a fine ranging from $250 to $750. The third violation can lead to a seven-day suspension and the fourth to a 21-day suspension. The fifth violation can lead to revocation.