Rhode Island Mobster Sentenced for Running Sports Betting Ring

A high-ranking member of the New England mob was sentenced to a 10-year suspended sentence and 10 years probation before a Superior Court judge on Wednesday after pleading no contest to a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony and racketeering. 

Edward C. Lato, 67, is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in connection to a l $1.5 million extortion ring involving the shakedown of Rhode Island strip club owners.

In May of 2011, Lato and 24 others were arrested and charged with racketeering, extortion, conspiracy and gambling in connection with what authorities called a “large scale sports betting operation”.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com