7 More Arrested in ‘Mob-Tied’ Gambling Crackdown With Al Sharpton Connections

Seven more individuals were arrested Wednesday on gambling charges stemming from a series of raids in Rockland County, New York last Tuesday that already netted 14 others.  The men were charged with promoting gambling, possession of gambling records, money laundering and other offenses

The Journal News reports that the arrests come on the heels of an investigation spearheaded by the District Attorney's Office Organized Crime Unit that led to a federal indictment in August of reputed Ramapo organized crime figure Daniel Pagano and a Suffern-based associate, Michael Palazzolo.

The ring took bets on professional football, basketball, baseball and college sports, District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said following a 16-month investigation, which also netted individuals in both New Jersey and Florida.

Those arrested included William Robbins, who has previously been convicted of illegal gambling.

Also arrested Wednesday were James Hayman of 6 Hudson View Drive, Tomkins Cove; Gerardo Dimatteo of 367 Birdsall Lane, Yorktown Heights; Benjamin Reiss of 9 Hampton Drive, Nanuet; Frank Giordano of 277 Shady Brook Lane, Pomona; Jonathan Klein of 14 Blue Heron Drive, Staten Island; and Robert Aulicino of 313 Orchard St., Monroe.

Pagano made headlines back in August when it was revealed that civil rights activist and MSNBC Commentator Al Sharpton had some “business dealings” with the mobster during the 1980s.  Sharpton has categorically denied these allegations.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com