Crime
Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Bilking Investors: Used Funds to Pay Gambling Debts
A San Jose, California man has been sentenced to five years prison time and five years probation for defrauding investors in order to pay off his gambling debts.
Thomas R. Papa, 56, represented himself as a money manager for a company called MTJJ via Craigslist. He would tell potential clients that he could broker deals for property and business loans through private investors.
One Dead, Three Wounded at Bally’s Hotel-Casino Club in Vegas
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - Authorities say an ex-convict with a history of altercations at Las Vegas clubs was behind a shooting that killed a patron and wounded two employees at a casino after-hours nightclub on the Strip.
Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said Monday that 41-year-old suspect Benjamin Frazier remained hospitalized at University Medical Center.
Police say Frazier is being treated for serious head injuries sustained when he was subdued following the 5:45 a.m. (October 21, 2013) shooting at Drai’s After Hours at Bally’s hotel-casino.
Gambler Archie Karas Extradited to CA for Casino Cheat Case: Pleads Not Guilty
One of the most well-known and successful gamblers of all time, Archie Karas, was extradited from Nevada to California to face charges he cheated a San Diego casino out of more than $8000. He entered a “Not Guilty” plea on Friday.
Genovese Crime Family Mobster Admits Role in Racketeering Tied to Sports Betting
Genovese Crime Family associate John Breheney (AKA “Fu”), 49, of Egg Harbor, NJ, pleaded guilty Friday before US District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute through his participation in an illegal sports betting operation.
Embezzlement Scheme Uncovered at Bodog: Several Employees Allegedly Involved
The online gambling firm Bodog has accused a number of high-ranking company officials of perpetrating a scheme to embezzle millions of dollars from its Asian operation.
Mobster-Turned-Cattle-Rancher to Face Trial for Conspiracy, Murder
(Associated Press) - With his East Coast accent and tales of living in New York, Jay Shaw stood out when he moved to the tiny farm town of Marsing, Idaho.
But he was friendly enough, even helpful, to his neighbors, and they never suspected him of having a dark secret.
Prostitution Charges Dropped Against Poker Pro Greg Raymer
Prostitution charges have been dropped against one of poker’s biggest stars, Greg Raymer, after he successfully completed 75 hours of community service at a local non-profit.
Gambling Pastor Embezzles $230k: School Funds Utilized
A Boston area pastor has been relieved of his duties after allegations surfaced that he had stolen more than $200,000 to help support his gambling addiction.
Father Stephen M. Gemme of Saint Bernadette Parish in Northboro, Massachusetts has served as that congregation’s pastor for nearly 10 years. The church published the announcement on its website.
Part of the letter, written by Reverend Robert J. McManus Bishop of Worcester, reads:
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Millionairess Carole Waugh Murdered by High Rolling Conmen
High stakes gamblers Rakesh Bhayani and Nicholas Kutner have been charged with murdering a wealthy businesswoman in order that they could fleece her bank accounts to support their gambling lifestyle.
Ms Waugh, 49, an accounts clerk in the oil industry and an escort, lived alone at a £600,000 flat in Marylebone, central London, the Mirror reported.
She had been missing since May with her body eventually discovered in a New Malden, south-west London garage.
Jury Begins Deliberations in Florida Veterans Gambling Case
SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) -- Florida's statewide prosecutor has told jurors that an attorney "gamed" the legal system to help build a multimillion-dollar network of storefront casinos throughout Florida under the guise of a veterans' charity.
In rebuttal closing arguments, Nick Cox said Thursday at Kelly Mathis' trial that the Jacksonville attorney manipulated the law while helping Allied Veterans of the World set up Internet cafes in Florida.
Later Thursday, jurors could begin deliberating whether Mathis committed any crimes.
Two South Carolina Men Charged With Running Illegal Gambling Operation
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Associated Press) — Two men are being held on charges of laundering more than $140 million in connection with an illegal gambling operation.
A report Thursday by WYFF-TV says Bobby Mosley and Michael Caldwell have been charged with operating an illegal gambling business. Also named in the indictment were the firms Gateway Systems, Frontier Software Systems and Frontier Gaming.
Jury to Decide Florida Charity Gambling Role
(Associated Press) - The case against a lawyer accused of helping to build a multimillion-dollar network of storefront casinos throughout Florida under the guise of a veterans' charity is based on "blurry evidence," a defense attorney said Wednesday.
Attorney Kelly Mathis is the first of more than 50 other defendants to go on trial in the Allied Veterans of World case that led to the resignation of Florida's lieutenant governor and a ban on all Internet cafes in the state. It also drove legislators to return campaign donations made by the group.
Legends Sports Operative Philip Gurian Enters Guilty Plea
As reported by Gambling911.com Tuesday, Legends Sports operative Philip Gurian has agreed to waive grand jury indictment and plead guilty to conspiracy in connection to his role in an international sports betting ring.
2nd in Command of Nuke Program Stripped of His Duties Following Gambling Fraud
The second in charge of the US nuke program has been demoted following a gambling fraud investigation involving counterfeit poker chips at an Iowa casino. Little details were provided over the matter other that it occurred this summer.
Vice-Admiral Tim Giardina was relieved of his duties at the US Strategic Command in Nebraska outside of Omaha. He was also stripped of his rank. The US Strategic Command oversees all of America’s cyber warfare activities and military satellites in addition to providing a storage facility for the world’s largest nuclear stock pile.
Mob-Linked Agent to Plead Guilty for Role at Legends Sports: Worked for 40 Plus Books
A Florida man with alleged Mob ties is expected to plead guilty on Wednesday (October 9, 2013) to a federal money-laundering charge tied to a multi-state and international sports betting ring said to have made close to a billion dollars over the past decade.
Gambling Addict Who Held Up Betting Shop With Hammer Turns Himself In
A gambling addict flagged down police just hours after he held up a betting shop with a hammer.
The incident occurred August 2 at a Southhampton Ladbrokes. Michael Birch, 30, is charged with the crime. He escaped with £1,637 in cash.
His defense attorney argued that Birsh should be given mercy for admitting to the crime and apologizing.
Judge Peter Henry said: 'This is a serious offence without question, breaking into a premises, arming yourself and threatening someone and terrifying them, forcing them to hand over the money.'
Somach: Online Poker Site CEO has No Fear of Being Arrested
Thomas Somach’s San Francisco Examiner piece on an Internet poker company operating right from San Francisco is now out.
Somach Exclusive: McDonald’s Hamburgers and an Illegal San Francisco Online Poker Room
Over the past five years, more than a dozen online poker rooms that allowed Americans to play Internet poker for cash have been busted by the U.S. Justice Department. Websites were shut down, website owners and operators were arrested and millions of dollars were seized. Party Poker, Poker Stars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet were among the sites targeted by the Feds.
Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation Blasts AGA for Hypocrisy re ‘Runner, Runner’
The Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation has come out swinging against the Nevada lobbying group, American Gaming Association (AGA), for its advertisements suggesting the new film “Runner, Runner” is a cautionary tale depicting the ills of an unregulated online gambling industry.
Key Cantor Gaming Execs May Have had Role in Sports Betting Probe: Colbert Caves
The New York Times is reporting that federal prosecutors are investigating whether top executives at Cantor Fitzgerald LP's gambling unit participated in the company accepting illegal sports bets.
Cantor Senior Executive Lee Amaitis has been mentioned following a guilty plea entered by former Cantor employee, Mike Colbert. The former sportsbook director admitted to accepting illegal bets.
College Student Beaten by Police Leaving AC Casino: Head Smashed In (Video)
A June beating by police officers of a college student leaving the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City was captured by surveillance video and will be used as evidence in a lawsuit filed by the student’s parents.
Iowa Won’t File Charges Against Nuke Boss in Counterfeit Poker Chip Probe
OMAHA, Neb. (Associated Press) — Iowa will take no legal action against the No. 2 officer in charge of U.S. nuclear war-fighting forces who is accused of using counterfeit gambling chips at a casino in the state, officials said Tuesday.
Nonetheless Navy Vice Adm. Tim Giardina could still face federal charges.
Giardina was suspended Sept. 3 while Naval Criminal Investigative Service examines the allegation that he used $1,500 in counterfeit chips at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa in June.
Judge Tosses Out Some Allied Veterans Counts in Illegal Gambling Case
(Associated Press) - A Florida judge on Tuesday threw out about a third of the more than 150 charges against a Jacksonville attorney accused of using a veterans group as a front for a $300 million gambling operation.
Judge Kenneth Lester tossed out more than 50 money laundering charges against Kelly Mathis. A jury will still decide whether he is guilty of more than 100 other charges of racketeering, running a lottery and possessing slot machines related to Allied Veterans of the World.
Prosecutors Rest in Florida Charity Gambling Scandal
(Associated Press) - Prosecutors rested their case Monday in the trial of a Jacksonville attorney accused of masterminding a veterans group that ran a $300 million gambling operation.
Prosecutors told jurors at attorney Kelly Mathis' trial Monday that they had rested their case, less than 10 days after giving opening statements in which they accused Mathis of helping build a network of Internet cafes that actually were computer casinos.
Robert McGuigan Talks of How Gambling Killed His Son – Part III of This Woo Report
Gambling911.com International Correspondent Jenny Woo concludes her riveting report on Robert McGuigan and how gambling addiction ultimately lead to his son’s untimely death. This is Part III of the series.
Prosecutor: Mobster Claims he has Bladder Cancer to Get Lighter Sentence
An 86-year-old mobster got a lighter sentence than the two years in prison he had previously been facing after claiming a series of ailments, including bladder cancer.
Explosive Revelations in Nuke Boss Gambling Probe
A vice admiral and the second in command of the US nuke program at the United States Strategic Command outside of Omaha, Nebraska, has been suspended for his alleged role in a counterfeit casino chip probe.
Famed Gambler Archie Karas Arrested for Cheating at Casino
A world famous gambler was arrested in his Las Vegas home Tuesday, charged with cheating at the Barona Casino in San Diego.
Anargyros Karabourniotis, known better as Archie Karas, was charged with burglary and winning blackjack by fraudulent means. It is anticipated he will be extradited back to San Diego to face those charges.
Washington Campaign Director Charged With Embezzlement: Gambled Away Funds
(Reuters) - The former head of a Democratic Party fundraising committee in Washington state has been charged with embezzling up to $300,000 in campaign contributions to feed a gambling habit, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Mass Congressman Owes Attorneys After Fighting Offshore Gambling Claims
US Representative John F. Tierney of Massachusetts has set up a legal defense fund to help pay for attorneys utilized while defending himself from allegations that he failed to disclose funds derived from his brother-in-law’s offshore gambling business.
