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WHEC in Rochester, New York is reporting that a second guilty plea has been entered into in connection with an illegal multi-million dollar sports betting ring with alleged ties to hockey player Thomas Vanek.
Joe Ruff and his brother are charged with running the business from their Marina Restaurant and Bar in Charlotte, New York.
An attorney in the case tells News10NBC that a $230,000 check at the heart of an extortion was one written by the NHL player. Vanek played for the Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Sabres and has been cooperating with law enforcement regarding the matter.
As part of Ruff’s admission of guilt he had to admit using extortion methods to get Vanek to pay outstanding debts owed.
WHEC’s conversation with Ruff’s attorney Matthew Parrinello appears below:
Matthew Parrinello: “I'll speak more in detail after the sentencing but to acknowledge that was the Vanek check? Yes it was.”
Berkeley Brean: “Did Thomas Vanek endorse that check?”
Parrinello: “Yes.”
Brean: “So his name is on that check?”
Parrinello: “Yes. It was a New York Islander's check.”
Brean: “What that his bi-weekly paycheck or something?”
Parrinello: “I don't know what that was.”
The attorney claims Vanek never bet on hockey games.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
