Crime
Nevada Gaming Enforcement Division Confirms Bitcoin Poker Room Seals With Clubs Raid
While Karl Bennison, chief of the Nevada Gaming Enforcement division, confirmed that the board “took part in law enforcement action” related to Seals with Clubs on Feb. 11, it was not immediately clear as to whether that investigation directly tied to the anonymous digital currency Bitcoin or if it involved Seals With Clubs operating from within Nevada.
Italian Police Arrest Mobster Hiding Inside Sofa
An Italian Mafia boss on the run since April 2013 was arrested Wednesday after engaging in a chase with officers. The mobster was found hiding inside a sofa.
63-year-old Vincenzo Pariante was convicted in absentia and sentenced to life imprisonment for commissioning the 2004 murder of two other mobsters from a rival clan.
U.S. Government Blames Iran for Hack of Sands Casino Websites
Senior government officials have reportedly linked Iran to a hacking attack on the Sands Casino websites last year.
Hackers knocked all of the Sands websites offline and published sensitive personal information about Sands employees including their social security numbers in February of 2014. The sites remained down for over a week.
Three Florida Men Convicted in Connection With Legends Sports Case
Three individuals from Florida have been convicted in Oklahoma City for their role in running what federal prosecutors called a billion dollar illegal sports betting enterprise run out of Panama City, Panama.
Former Top Sheriff’s Deputy Charged for Selling Inside Info on Gambling Probe
GREENVILLE, South Carolina — (Associated Press) - A former top sheriff's deputy in Greenville County faces criminal charges after prosecutors say he sold inside information on investigations in return for payoffs from an illegal gambling operator.
New CNBC Primetime Program ‘American Vice’ Looks at Bookies, Poker World
A new CNBC Primetime show is set to premiere Wednesday March 4 at 10 pm ET.
Get an inside look at the world of illegal gambling. Follow those who walk the line between big risk and big reward every day.
And some of the names cry out “Not Reality Television”.
There’s Cousin Nicky, Joey Terror and Frankie Flatscreen.
Lefty Rosenthal Home Vegas Home Sells for $777K
A home once owned by late famed casino exec Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal has sold for a cool $777,000.
Curbed.com refers to the house as “about as groovy a 70s time capsule as you’re likely to find adjacent to the Las Vegas Country Club”.
Crubed.com also notes:
Gambling Ring Nets 27 Arrests
27 individuals have been arrested as part of a six-month investigation into an illegal gambling ring in California.
Santa Clara police said they seized firearms, gambling machines and $70,000 in cash. This marks the second time police have attempted to break up the suspected gambling ring.
Sports Handicapper to the Stars Adam Meyer Ordered Into Rehab
A sports handicapper charged with bilking a Wisconsin man out of $25 million and allegedly threatening him with bodily harm has been ordered into drug rehab after failing four drug tests and skipping on four others.
Oy Vey! ‘Prodfather’ Rabbi Charged in Kidnap Plot Was Mafia Mediator
A New York City rabbi charged with kidnapping and threatening men with cattle prods who refused to grant their wives a divorce claims to have mediated Mafia disputes.
An undercover video was played in a federal court Monday to demonstrate Rabbi Mendel Epstein’s participation in mobster affairs.
The gangsters would reportedly clean guns in front of the rabbi and intimidate him.
‘Red King of Gambling’ Owes $160 Million, Threatened Creditors With Bodily Harm
The so-called “Red King of Gambling” is reportedly under investigation by Chinese authorities. He is one of many high profile individuals in the world’s most populous nation who have come under fire as part of an anti-corruption campaign lodged by Government officials last month.
Underground Hidden Cave Contained Gambling Machines, Ammo
FRESNO, Calif. – (Associated Press) - A domestic violence call at a Central California home led police to a hidden underground cave where two men were hiding from police.
The Fresno Bee reports that late Saturday police responded to a call at a home after someone reported a fight between a man and a woman in southeast Fresno.
Officers found a woman and children crying outside the home.
Bitcoin-Only Online Poker Room Seals With Clubs Closes After ‘Sledgehammer’ Raid
The largest of the Bitcoin-only online poker rooms, Seals With Clubs, has unceremoniously closed its doors following a raid of CEO Bryan Micon’s Nevada home.
Former Austrian Tennis Star Investigated for Match Fixing
IENNA – (Associated Press) - Public prosecutors in Austria have opened an investigation into an alleged attempt to fix the result of a top-flight football match involving SV Ried in the 2007-08 season.
Prosecutor Alois Ebner tells the Austria Press Agency on Wednesday they are looking into claims made last week by Ried coach Oliver Glasner, who was the team's captain seven years ago.
Lucy Beale ‘Killer’ Pays Out 80-1 Odds if Billy Mitchell: Suspicious Betting
An unlikely suspect in the murder of Lucy Beale could end up paying some folks 80-1 odds.
UK bookmaker Paddy Power slashed those odds to 6-1 following a series of suspicious bets placed out of Ireland. Other bookies, including Boyle Sports, and Ladbrokes, quickly followed suit.
Who Killed Lucy Beale: Bookies Offer Odds as Money Comes in on Billy Mitchell
The big question throughout all the UK this week: Who killed Lucy Beale? The bookies have posted their odds with Billy Mitchell as the 3-1 favorite after being as long as 80-1.
Lucy Beale, a character on EastEnders, was killed one year ago this week and the 30-year-old British soap is marking the occasion (their 30th anniversary) by finally revealing her killer on Thursday.
Manhattan Firm With Government Contracts Hired Convicted Mobster
A New York City firm with $45 million in city and state contracts was found to have employed a convicted mobster charged with killing a man and his dog in 1992. The firm failed to disclose the hiring and is currently conducting an internal investigation of its own.
Two New Counts Against Bonanno Mobster Suspected in 1978 JFK Heist
A one time high ranking member of the Bonanno Crime Family suspected in a 1978 heist at JFK Airport has received two additional undisclosed charges against him.
8 Arrested in South Florida for Running Sports Betting Ring Tied to Mob
A multi-million dollar sports betting ring with ties to the Genovese Crime family has been busted by Broward County Police in South Florida.
Eight men were arrested as a result of the investigation, including a 66-year-old grandfather.
Criminal Probe of Christie-Adelson Relationship, PokerStars Runaround Possible
New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie is being accused of preventing the world’s largest online poker room, PokerStars, from entering into a deal with Atlantic City’s Resorts Hotel and Casino and his relationship with casino mogul and GOP mega donor is being cited as the reason why.
PokerStars made plans to open a $10 million poker room at the Resorts Casino back in June 2013.
Chipleader Arrested at Final Table of Fallsview Poker Classic Event
We can’t make this stuff up and PokerNews Canada somehow managed to obtain video proof of the chipleader at this week’s Final Table of the Fallswview Poker Classic event being placed under arrest…..while the event was underway.
FINRA Investigation Into Amaya, PokerStars Acquisition Could Scare Off US Suitors
PokerStars had hoped to potentially enter the U.S. regulated online poker market through an acquisition by Canadian gaming firm Amaya. Those hopes could soon be dashed with fears over an ongoing investigation into last year’s blockbuster acquisition being conducted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Casino, Online Poker Owner Charged With Attempted Murder: Blew Up Attorney’s Car
A Canadian businessman has been charged with attempting to murder an attorney in the Dominican Republic. The Lawyer, Fernando Arturo Baez Guerrero, had been hired by Antonio Carbone to run his troubled casinos on the Caribbean island.
Chinese Casino Operator, Former Mining Exec Executed
Philly Mobster Anthony Nicodemo Pleads Guilty in Shooting Death
Reputed Philadelphia mobster, Anthony Nicodemo, has plead guilty in the December 2012 shooting death of Gino DiPietro.
"Yes," he told Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart. "No," he said. "Guilty," he said three times.
Poker Pro, Instagram King Dan Bilzerian to Record TSA Spot Following Gun Incident
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – (Associated Press) - Poker professional and Internet playboy Dan Bilzerian and a pal capitalized on Bilzerian's substantial Instagram following Friday to avoid prosecution on felony explosives charges in Las Vegas.
Tentative Trial Date Set in FBI Ruse Case Concerning Poker Pro
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - A federal magistrate judge in Nevada set a tentative trial date in a closely watched case alleging that casino high-rollers set up an illegal Internet gambling ring in their Las Vegas Strip suite.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys argued procedural matters Friday, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen acknowledged that an April 13 target date may not stand.
The case is headed to a U.S. District Court judge.
PA Teacher Stole Nearly $200K From Union to Fuel Gambling Addiction
GIBSONIA, Pa. (Associated Press) -- A business teacher has been charged with stealing $175,000 he blew on lottery tickets and at casinos while serving as treasurer of his union at suburban Pittsburgh school district.
Defense attorney Christopher Thomas says 44-year-old Edward Maritz Jr. is taking responsibility for the crimes because his "conscience caught up to him."
Maritz is on sabbatical from the Pine-Richland School District.
Can I Bet on the Aaron Hernandez Trial Online?
While many folks would love to bet on the Aaron Hernandez murder trial, none of the online bookmakers are offering such odds at this time.
Judge Finds Evidence Tainted in Poker Pro Paul Phua Case: FBI in the Wrong
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Undercover FBI and Nevada regulatory agents misled a federal judge and violated the rights of a wealthy Malaysian businessman and his son by posing as Internet repairmen to get into Las Vegas Strip hotel rooms in a gambling probe last summer, a U.S. magistrate judge said.
