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Federal prosecutors claim to have broken up a massive bookmaking business based in suburban Philadelphia that spanned beyond state borders into New Jersey, Florida and Costa Rica.
Investigators say brothers Joseph Vito Mastronardo, Jr. and John Mastronardo ran the operation using check-cashing businesses, private bank accounts and offshore accounts to launder the proceeds. Authorities say more than $1 million in illicit funds were found buried in the yard of Joseph Mastronardo's suburban Philadelphia mansion. 16 others were charged as part of the indictment including former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo’s daughter.
Charges were initially filed against the Mastronardo brothers in 2010. At that time, defense attorney Dennis Cogan told NBC10 he expected the case to be moved to federal court given the interstate nature of the alleged crimes.
Charged are: Joseph Vito Mastronardo, Jr., and John Mastronardo, the two alleged leaders, Joseph F. Mastronardo, Eric Woehlcke, Harry Murray, Joseph Vitelli, Anna Rose Vitelli, Patrick Tronoski, Edward Feighan, Kenneth Cohen, Schuyler Twaddle, Michael Loftus, Michael Squillante, David Rounick, Ronald Gendrachi, and Joanna Mastronardo, the wife of Joseph Mastronardo, Jr. and the daughter of the late Frank Rizzo. All, with the exception of Twaddle, were arrested Wednesday morning.
“Technology allowed the defendants to allegedly expand their gambling and money laundering operation far beyond the borders of Pennsylvania,” said Memeger. “Unfortunately for the defendants, however, we have the necessary statutory tools to investigate and prosecute those who openly flout our illegal gambling and financial reporting laws.”
“Illegal gambling and money laundering are the financial engines that help drive criminal enterprises like the one alleged today,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Venizelos. “The type of gambling activity charged here is illegal. These types of extensive and long-term joint investigative efforts, worked with our partners like the IRS and Montgomery County Detectives, are intended to dismantle criminal organizations that profit from illegal activities.”
“This alleged racketeering operation was anchored in Montgomery County, but had tentacles spreading across the U.S. and beyond,” said Montgomery County DA Risa Ferman. “Despite our attempt to shut it down in 2006-2007 with a Montgomery County prosecution, my office discovered that the defendants, as is alleged in the indictment, were back in business. We partnered with our federal counterparts to examine the full scope of the alleged illegal gambling operation. Today’s indictment reflects the work of many law enforcement agents across multiple agencies. These defendants tried to ‘game’ the system. Today they crapped out.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason P. Bologna.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com as well as Associated Press and NBC 10
