72-Year-Old Bookie Heading to Prison, Admits ‘Enforcer’ Role

A 72-year-old Cheektowaga, New York man has confessed to threating a local gambler with physical violence if he didn’t make good on a debt.

The FBI got involved after the gambler, Thi C. Nguyen, approached them about the threats made by Eric Battistoni.

“He would testify that the tone of that conversation indicated violence would be used to settle the debt,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce said of the unidentified gambler.

Battistoni pleaded guilty to extortion and will face a recommended sentence of up to 30 months in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Nguyen and Battistoni were arrested in May of 2013 after a search of Nguyen’s West Seneca home revealed ledgers detailing a gambling operation. Nguyen also pleaded guilty to extortion.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com