Man Who Ran Sports Betting Operation for 14 Years Pleads Guilty
(Associated Press) - A Maine man has pleaded guilty to running an illegal sports gambling operation out of his home and business for 14 years, netting him millions.
The Portland Press Herald reports 61-year-old Stephen Mardigan pleaded guilty Wednesday to unlawful gambling, money laundering and filing a false tax return.
Court documents show Mardigan ran the gambling operation from his Portland home and business from 2003 to 2017.
Mardigan allegedly took bets on sports including college and professional basketball, football and stock car racing. Some bets were as low as $30, but court records show he took bets from two gamblers that reached nearly $5 million.
Mardigan spent the money on various properties around Maine.
He faces up to 28 years in prison during sentencing.
Two Men Accused in Casino Holdup Now Being Tried in Federal Court
Two men accused of robbing a Billings, Montana casino back in February will now face trial in a federal court.
Christopher Alan Esrey, 30, and Antonio Francisco Gutierrez, 35, were indicted in U.S. District Court in April with Esrey arraigned on Wednesday and Gutierrez on Thursday.
Both men are alleged to have held up Dotty’s Casino at 4010 Montana Sapphire Drive on Feb. 5, getting away with a little more than $2000.
Charges include conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce, and robbery affecting commerce and possession of a firearm with intent to cause violence.
Police found the suspects just one hour after the robbery at the nearby Gold Dust Casino.
