Crime
Evil Poker Players Part I: The Annie Duke Edition
Welcome to our new series here at Gambling911.com, a combined effort between two of Gambling911.com’s intrepid reporters, Thomas Somach and Jagajeet Chiba. Great minds don’t always think alike, however. Our first selection for the series, Annie Duke, had Somach and Chiba butting heads a bit. Be sure to check out our "Evil Poker Players" sponsor AmericasCardroom and learn how to enter to win a guaranteed piece of a sweet $5 million
Mobster Son-In-Law of John Gotti $100K Bond Continued
CLEVELAND, Ohio — (Associated Press) - A $100,000 bond was continued today for a reputed mob associate and former son-in-law of mob boss John Gotti who faces charges related to what authorities say is a multi-million dollar scam involving scrap metal and stolen cars.
Fifty-six-year-old Carmine "The Bull" Agnello of Bentleyville was arraigned Friday morning. He's been free on a personal bond since July 17 — two days after his arrest by Cleveland police.
14 Arrested in Phoenix for Running Illegal Gambling Business
PHOENIX — (Associated Press) - Authorities say 14 people have been arrested after two search warrants were served at illegal gambling businesses in Phoenix.
Hockey Player Gets Home Confinement for Role in Illegal Sports Betting Ring
Rochester, N.Y. — Grand Rapids Griffins player Nathan Paetsch has sentenced to eight months of home confinement for being part of an illegal sports betting business that took wagers from other players.
Paetsch (paytch) also must perform 400 hours of community service and spend five years on probation following his sentencing Friday in federal court in Rochester.
Bookies Behaving Badly Part 5: Shill Edition
When it comes to bookies behaving badly, few were as slimy or sleazy as the one nicknamed "The Shill"--Steve Schillinger.
The nickname was of twofold origin--"Shill" of course was short for Schillinger and was a nickname since youth, but shill is what he did as a bookie and so became just as relevant.
Jimmy Snuka Charged in Girlfriend’s Murder 32 Years Later: Odds on His Fate?
Oddsmakers may be tempted to pull the trigger on this one. There is definitely a demand for Court outcome wagering though sportsbooks over the years have shown a reluctance to offer bets that have any tie to murder.
Good Lord: Priest Charged With Stealing $151K for Gambling Addiction
WICHITA — (Associated Press) - A Kansas priest has been charged with alleging stealing nearly $151,000 from his two parishes and the Catholic Diocese to fund his extensive gambling.
A criminal information filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas charges Father Thomas H. Leland with bank fraud. The court issued a summons for a Sept. 23 initial appearance.
‘Black Mass’ Mobster Film to Premier September 18
“Black Mass”, the film starring Johnny Depp as Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger, is set to hit theatres September 18.
Set in 1970’s South Boston, the film looks at Bulger’s work as an informant for the FBI in an effort to destroy rival Mob factions.
Indicted Gambling Guru Obtains New Attorney: May Ditch ‘Insanity’ Defense
Adam Meyer, the self-professed “Gambling Guru to the Stars”, is seeking a new attorney.
Meyer was charged late last year with running an elaborate sports handicapping fraud scheme whereby he attempted to extort $25 million from a Wisconsin businessman.
And the State With the Highest Gambling Embezzlement Rate is...
Which U.S. state do you think has the highest gambling embezzlement rates in the nation? Is it:
Wayne Root to be Executive Producer of New Investigation Discovery Series
The former 2008 U.S. Vice Presidential nominee on the Libertarian ticket, Wayne Root, will act as Executive Producer for a new true crime show to debut on Investigation Discovery.
Root, who is also a contributing writer to the Gambling911.com website and best selling author, was given the green light this week for his idea by the popular cable network.
Bookies Behaving Badly Part 3 – The Lawsuit Edition
When country crooner Johnny Cash sang about "A Boy Named Sue," he wasn't referring to pioneer offshore bookmaker Dennis Atiyeh.
But he could have been.
Atiyeh, to many, was one of the original "bookies behaving badly."
He was a real-life "Dennis the Menace" to those who crossed him, ready to file a devastating lawsuit at the drop of a hat against anyone who got in his way.
Man Faces Up to 25 Years in Attempted Murder of 83-Year-Old During Poker Game
A Syracuse man, Charquan Edwards, 23, is facing trial in the attempted murder of an 83-year-old man (unidentified to the media) after losing nearly $10,000 during a high stakes poker game.
After leaving on two occasions to go home and retrieve more money, Edwards returned for a third occasion, this time with a gun. He shot twice at the ceiling before the two men began fighting.
Crackdowns in Chinese Gambling Hub Macau Continue With 17 More Arrests
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Police in the global gambling hub of Macau have arrested 17 people this week after raiding pawn shops thought to be easing the illicit flow of money from China, whose slowing economy is prompting authorities to try and curb capital flight.
Unsolved Mysteries of the Gambling World Part 1: The Cantor Curse?
When one thinks of Cantor Gaming, the first thing that might not come to mind is the tragic events of 9-11 when two planes were flown into New York’s World Trade Center buildings. Those buildings ultimately collapsed and 2,996 lost their lives.
Cyber Terrorism Strikes Major Horse Betting Site Xpressbet
Xpressbet, one of the largest U.S.-based online horse racing betting sites, disclosed this week that they were the latest victim of cyber terrorism.
The attack occurred Saturday August 22, considered the biggest day of the week for horse racing in the United States. It was also the day of the all-important $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) from Delmar.
Caesars Entertainment to Pay $20 Million to Settle Anti-Money Laundering Lapses
Caesars Entertainment has agreed to pay $20 million to settle U.S. charges related to anti-money laundering lapses, it was revealed this week.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Shocking Mob Funeral: ‘You Conquered Rome, Now You’ll Conquer Paradise’
It was a funeral like no other: flowers thrown from a hovering helicopter, horse drawn carriages and “Godfather’ songs blaring from speakers. You would have thought it was a wedding.
Mourners were left horrified at the funeral of Italian mobster Vittorio Casamonica, 65, a marginal member of the local Casamonica family. Now the Mayor of Rome, where the observances took place, wants to know how this could have happened.
Malta Changes Online Gambling Policies in Light of Recent Raids, Scandal
The Maltese Government will begin to embrace new policies pertaining to its lucrative online gambling sector following a series of arrests and controversies.
Malta last year requested an opinion from the European Court of Justice pertaining to the Manipulation of Sports Competitions but have now decided to take on a different approach.
From Online-Casinos.org:
Oklahoma State Senator Who Stole $1.8 Mil Resigns: Recovering Gambling Addict
TULSA, Okla. (Associated Press) — A two-term Oklahoma state senator admitted in federal court Thursday that he stole $1.8 million from the nonprofit agency where he worked and filed a false tax return.
Jared Fogle Future Betting Off Limits But NFL Player Arrests Wagers are Available
Many folks have been inquiring as to when online gambling sites intend to begin offering betting odds on Jared Fogle, the longtime former Subway spokesperson who plead guilty Wednesday to charges of distributing child pornography and illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
China Arrests 15,000 on Suspicion of Cybercrimes, Including Gambling
BEIJING (Associated Press) — Chinese police have arrested 15,000 people on suspicion of cybercrimes as the government tightens its control over the Internet, the Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday.
Mob Rat Turns Dog Trainer for Disabled Vets
Mob rat Salvatore (Sammy Bull) Gravano, now serving 20 years in prison on a drug conviction, is attempting to get his sentenced reduced by training dogs for disabled vets.
The former Gambino underboss, now 70, had his attorney Thomas Farinella present papers in Brooklyn Federal Court to demonstrate the good work he has done while in prison.
Man Admits Bringing Counterfeit Chips to Casino Then Flushing Them Down Toilet
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — (Associated Press) - A man admitted Thursday that he brought millions of dollars in counterfeit poker chips to use in a casino's poker tournament, a scheme that was uncovered when he clogged a pipe by flushing the chips down the toilet in his hotel room.
Phil Mickelson, Billy Walters ‘Insider Trading’ Probe Continues
An FBI and SEC investigation is ongoing as to whether golfer Phil Mickelson received insider trading tips from Nevada-based professional sports bettor Billy Walters.
DeCavalcante Crime Family Boss John Riggi Dies: Was Not Inspiration for ‘Sopranos’
The one time crime boss of a family once believed to have inspired the hit series “The Sopranos” has passed away at the age of 90.
John Riggi of Edison, New Jersey was confirmed dead by the Corsentino Home for Funerals in Elizabeth, N.J. at the age of 90.
Riggi had served 20 years for racketeering with additional terms tacked on for complicity in contract killings. He was released in 2012.
Michigan Mafia to Blame for State Rep’s Sex With Gay Prostitute Scandal
Michigan State Representative Todd Courser (R-Lapeer) is blaming the East Lansing Mafia for trying to blackmail him because of his political beliefs.
“I see this as the way the establishment machine gets everyone to do what they are told to do and have no one question their authority,” says Courser.
Son-In-Law of Late Mobster John Gotti Indicted on Charges of Racketeering
The son-in-law of late Mob kingpin John Gotti was formerly indicted over the weekend for his alleged role in a $4.2 million scrap metal processing fraud.
Ring Leaders in Violent California Sports Betting Ring Sentenced: Got Off Light
Two brothers, both of whom were ring leaders of a violent California-based illegal sports betting ring, have been sentenced to less than two years in prison and each must pay a fine of $50,000. Each had been facing up to 20 years prison time.
Erik Portocarrero, 44, and his brother, Jan Harald Portocarrero, 42, ran Macho Sports out of both California and the South American nation of Peru.
Donald Trump and the Mob: His Ties are Extensive According to Report
Last week, Chris Frates, CNN Investigative Correspondent, published an intriguing report on real estate mogul and GOP Presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s dealings with the Mob.
Trump's alleged ties to New York and Philadelphia crime families go back decades and have been recounted in a book, newspapers and government records, Frates notes.
