Crime
Aaron Hernandez Defense Seems To Be: Nothing….
Ask anyone outside of New England, and they’re pretty sure Aaron Hernandez “did it.” Convicted in the media long before he ever had his day in court, the former NFL star’s legal team seems to have just shifted to an interesting tactic in trying to get their client off. Nothing.
Chairs Go Flying as Dozens Brawl at Resorts World Casino in Queens (Shock Video)
A melee involving dozens of casino patrons turned into an epic brawl at the Resorts World Casino at the Aqueduct Race Track in Queens, New York, all of which was caught on cell phone videos.
The incident occurred at the opening of a Fat Tuesday daiquiri bar within the establishment and quickly escalated into the neighboring food court.
Did Mobsters Really Beat Down Harry Reid
An accident using an exercise machine, such was the explanation provided to the public for Senator Harry Reid’s (D-Nevada) injured eye.
666Bet.com Director Arrested as Part of Fraud Probe: Site Goes Offline
Paul Bell, a director of 666Bet, has been arrested as part of a joint money-laundering investigation by HM Revenue & Customs and the National Crime Agency.
The initial arrest occurred last week at London’s Heathrow Airport. Bell was re-arrested on the Isle of Man upon landing in his private jet.
While the firm’s license has now been suspended and the site remains offline, a spokesperson insists the probe had nothing to do with 666Bet.com.
Another Suspect Pleads Guilty in 44Wager.com Bookmaking Case
Salvatore Ferraioli, 33, of Staten Island, NY, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Hartford federal court to a federal tax charge stemming from his involvement in a sports betting ring with ties to Costa Rica.
University of Toledo Athletes Get Probation in Point Shaving Scheme
DETROIT (Associated Press) - Two former University of Toledo basketball players have been placed on probation for their role in shaving points for gamblers who bet on games a decade ago.
Sammy Villegas and Anton Currie were sentenced Tuesday in Detroit federal court. They're the first of seven former Rockets who will be sentenced this spring, including three ex-football players.
Bookie Tied to Hockey Player Thomas Vanek Lawyer: ‘NHL Should Investigate Itself’
The lawyer for a long time Rochester, New York area bookie, Paul Borrelli, tells local media the National Hockey League (NHL) may want to investigate itself in light of one player’s ties to his client.
Professional Poker Player, Former Broker Charged With Embezzlement
A professional poker player has been charged with embezzling client funds for the sole purpose of playing online poker, casino gambling and buying football game tickets.
Federal Judge to Decide Fate of Poker Pro Paul Phua in FBI Ruse Case
LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) -- A federal judge in Las Vegas could decide the fate of an illegal gambling case against a wealthy Malaysian businessman who says the FBI violated his rights by posing as Internet repairmen to get into his hotel room during the FIFA World Cup last summer.
Defense attorneys for Wei Seng "Paul" Phua want U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon on Monday to accept a magistrate judge's recommendation to throw out evidence obtained by deceiving a judge who issued a search warrant.
Easy Bet Owner Will Likely Pull Through Following Brazen Assassination Attempt
The California-born owner of a Pay Per Head business in Costa Rica identified only as Jason F. is expected to pull through according to sources close to Gambling911.com.
The individual was shot four times as he left an Escazu bakery near the La Paco shopping center Wednesday morning and attempted to get into his red Range Rover (pictured). Two men pulled up on motorcycles and fired the shots. Authorities are still investigating.
Japan’s Tax Agency, Hong Kong Join FBI in Scrutinizing Universal Casino Payments
(Reuters) - Japan’s tax authorities have begun a review of how slot machine maker and casino developer Universal Entertainment accounted for $40 million in payments made in 2010 to an associate of the Philippines’ top gambling regulator at that time, sources told Reuters.
Separately, the payments are also a focus of a previously undisclosed criminal investigation by Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption, sources said. The ICAC has become involved because the transfers under review passed through bank accounts based in Hong Kong, those people said.
Pay Per Head Owner Identified as Man Shot by Motorcycle Gunmen in Costa Rica
An individual identified only as “Noah” has been shot and is in critical condition. Gambling911.com can report “Noah” operated a Pay Per Head business out of San Jose, Costa Rica. The individual’s real name is believed to be "Jason" based on sources close to G911 and he also had some involvement in real estate. His real last name is being withheld for security reasons.
Lawyers for Sports Betting Consultant to the Stars Put Together Insanity Defense
A Florida sports tout charged with trying to extort $25 million from a Wisconsin businessman is claiming he was only trying to help law enforcement.
Lawyers for Adam Meyer, 43 from Fort Lauderdale, are also said to be putting together an insanity defense according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The victim, initially identified only as “Victim A” in court documents, has since been revealed as liquor store owner Gary Sadoff.
Roundup of 65 in Atlanta-Area NCAA Basketball Tournament Betting Ring
WSB-TV Atlanta was reporting late Monday that Alpharetta police were booking about 65 people into jail in connection with an illegal gambling operation.
Police said they moved in on Pepperoni's Tavern on Old Milton Parkway at about 9 p.m. Monday.
Law enforcement claim the investigation is tied to a major NCAA College Basketball tournament betting ring.
Mafia Thrives on Italy's Legalized Gambling Addiction
(Reuters) - Legalizing gambling in Italy was supposed to help curb the mafia. Unfortunately, prosecutors say, it has only created new opportunities for the mob.
Cash-strapped Italian governments desperate for revenue have relaxed the rules on betting over the past two decades, to the point that Italians now wager $80 billion euros ($86 billion) a year - nearly equal to 5 percent of gross domestic product.
San Jose CA Largest Gambling Bust on Record: Vietnamese Cafes Caught in Crossfire
San Jose, California police confirmed raids on several Vietnamese owned cafes to root out illegal gambling machines at the establishments.
The raids were designated “Operation Omni”, coming about following a year-and-a-half investigation.
“The only thing I can confirm at this time is that we are serving multiple search warrants and arrest warrants in the area,” FBI special agent Greg Wuthrich told KPIX 5.
The following cafes were raided:
42 Alleged Mobsters Brought Down in Italy
Italian military police, the Carabinieri, have arrested 42 suspected mafia members in the Southern part of the country, it was revealed on Tuesday. The individuals are accused of extorting tens of thousands of euros from businesses.
Homes in 11 provinces were raided as a result of the investigation with the syndicate based out of the village of Casal di Principe near Naples.
Man Involved in Fatal Car Crash After 500,000 Euros Gambling Win Goes on Trial
BERLIN (Associated Press) — A man faces a possible five-year prison sentence for allegedly causing a fatal accident driving the wrong way down a German Autobahn after winning more than 500,000 euros ($537,000) gambling and going on a 36-hour alcohol and cocaine-fueled binge.
The 51-year-old man, identified only as Marko M., went on trial in Wiesbaden state court Tuesday for negligent homicide and six counts of causing bodily harm.
Poker Pro Paul Phua Son Pleads Guilty in World Cup Betting Probe: Was Homesick
LAS VEGAS — (Associated Press) - The son of a wealthy Malaysian businessman accused of running an illegal sports betting ring together during the World Cup has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in order to return home.
Nevada Gaming Enforcement Division Confirms Bitcoin Poker Room Seals With Clubs Raid
While Karl Bennison, chief of the Nevada Gaming Enforcement division, confirmed that the board “took part in law enforcement action” related to Seals with Clubs on Feb. 11, it was not immediately clear as to whether that investigation directly tied to the anonymous digital currency Bitcoin or if it involved Seals With Clubs operating from within Nevada.
Italian Police Arrest Mobster Hiding Inside Sofa
An Italian Mafia boss on the run since April 2013 was arrested Wednesday after engaging in a chase with officers. The mobster was found hiding inside a sofa.
63-year-old Vincenzo Pariante was convicted in absentia and sentenced to life imprisonment for commissioning the 2004 murder of two other mobsters from a rival clan.
U.S. Government Blames Iran for Hack of Sands Casino Websites
Senior government officials have reportedly linked Iran to a hacking attack on the Sands Casino websites last year.
Hackers knocked all of the Sands websites offline and published sensitive personal information about Sands employees including their social security numbers in February of 2014. The sites remained down for over a week.
Three Florida Men Convicted in Connection With Legends Sports Case
Three individuals from Florida have been convicted in Oklahoma City for their role in running what federal prosecutors called a billion dollar illegal sports betting enterprise run out of Panama City, Panama.
Former Top Sheriff’s Deputy Charged for Selling Inside Info on Gambling Probe
GREENVILLE, South Carolina — (Associated Press) - A former top sheriff's deputy in Greenville County faces criminal charges after prosecutors say he sold inside information on investigations in return for payoffs from an illegal gambling operator.
New CNBC Primetime Program ‘American Vice’ Looks at Bookies, Poker World
A new CNBC Primetime show is set to premiere Wednesday March 4 at 10 pm ET.
Get an inside look at the world of illegal gambling. Follow those who walk the line between big risk and big reward every day.
And some of the names cry out “Not Reality Television”.
There’s Cousin Nicky, Joey Terror and Frankie Flatscreen.
Lefty Rosenthal Home Vegas Home Sells for $777K
A home once owned by late famed casino exec Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal has sold for a cool $777,000.
Curbed.com refers to the house as “about as groovy a 70s time capsule as you’re likely to find adjacent to the Las Vegas Country Club”.
Crubed.com also notes:
Gambling Ring Nets 27 Arrests
27 individuals have been arrested as part of a six-month investigation into an illegal gambling ring in California.
Santa Clara police said they seized firearms, gambling machines and $70,000 in cash. This marks the second time police have attempted to break up the suspected gambling ring.
Sports Handicapper to the Stars Adam Meyer Ordered Into Rehab
A sports handicapper charged with bilking a Wisconsin man out of $25 million and allegedly threatening him with bodily harm has been ordered into drug rehab after failing four drug tests and skipping on four others.
Oy Vey! ‘Prodfather’ Rabbi Charged in Kidnap Plot Was Mafia Mediator
A New York City rabbi charged with kidnapping and threatening men with cattle prods who refused to grant their wives a divorce claims to have mediated Mafia disputes.
An undercover video was played in a federal court Monday to demonstrate Rabbi Mendel Epstein’s participation in mobster affairs.
The gangsters would reportedly clean guns in front of the rabbi and intimidate him.
‘Red King of Gambling’ Owes $160 Million, Threatened Creditors With Bodily Harm
The so-called “Red King of Gambling” is reportedly under investigation by Chinese authorities. He is one of many high profile individuals in the world’s most populous nation who have come under fire as part of an anti-corruption campaign lodged by Government officials last month.
