Crime
Crazed California Berkley Law Students Behead Exotic Bird at Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel
California Berkley law students Eric Cuellar and Justin Teixeira, both 24, have been charged with beheading an exotic bird at the famed Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.
Video surveillance captured the two crazed individuals cornering then decapitating the rare helmeted guinea fowl at the Casino’s wildlife habitat on the Strip. It was not immediately clear if the men were under the influence of any substances such as alcohol or bath salts.
1st Anonymous Juror Chosen for Philadelphia Mob Trial
(Associated Press) - The first juror selected for a Philadelphia mob trial is a former Teamsters member who was a crime victim in her teens.
The FBI investigation involves alleged mob activity since about 1999, when former boss Joey Merlino went to prison.
Prosecutors say acting boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi has led Philadelphia's La Cosa Nostra since then.
The case mostly involves illegal gambling and loansharking in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and there's little violence alleged.
Massive $1 Billion Gambling Ring Busted in Israeli
Israeli police on Thursday announced the arrests of 44 people in connection with a $1 billion gambling and crime ring.
Predawn raids commenced in the cities of Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Holon, Rishon, LeZion and other cities across the Middle Eastern nation.
From Yeshiva World:
‘Cash-Poor’ Howard Lederer Now Playing High Stakes Poker Games at Bobby’s Room
There has been a Howard Lederer sighting after nearly one-and-a-half-years since his company, Full Tilt Poker, began to implode.
While Lederer has been making the online poker media rounds over the past month, pleading his case to anybody who will listen while blaming just about everyone else around him (minus “Howie” himself), the poker pro has yet to surface on the live poker scene since April 15, 2011.
Man Who Brought Down World Sports Exchange to be Profiled on ‘American Greed’ (Video)
Sir Allen Stanford is the next reputed con artist to be featured on CNBC’s must watch series “American Greed”.
Episode 67: Allen Stanford: The Dark Knight will air Wednesday, October 10th 10p | 1a ET. Check your local listings for repeats.
No Charges to be Filed Against Former NH Deputy County Attorney in Gambling Case
MANCHESTER, N.H. (Associated Press) — A former deputy county attorney in New Hampshire will not be charged after he was accused of using his work email inappropriately to talk about fantasy football.
New Hampshire Attorney General Michael A. Delaney said Monday that the state Department of Justice has completed its investigation of Ross McLeod, a former assistant Hillsborough County attorney, on allegations of illegal gambling, electioneering and tampering with witnesses and informants.
The Department of Justice has concluded that no charges will be brought against McLeod.
Poker Player, Convicted Killer Joran van der Sloot Impregnates Woman While in Prison
Dutchman Joran van der Sloot, accused of killing a woman he met at a Lima, Peru casino while following the Latin American Poker Tour, has reportedly impregnated a woman as he serves a 28-year sentence at the notorious Castro Castro prison.
Alabama Casino Developer Gets Delay in Reporting to Prison
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — (Associated Press) - A federal judge has pushed back the date Country Crossing casino developer Ronnie Gilley has to report to prison to allow him more time to recover from surgery.
Gilley was supposed to report to prison Tuesday. Gilley's attorneys had requested an extension that would stretch past Christmas. The U.S. Justice Department said it was fine with extending the reporting deadline to Nov. 5 to allow Gilley to be treated at his own expense rather than Bureau of Prisons. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson approved that date Friday.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty in Philadelphia Mob Case
PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in a Philadelphia mob case to charges he participated in an illegal gambling and health benefits conspiracy.
Federal prosecutors say 45-year-old Caldwell, N.J., resident Louis Fazzini pleaded guilty Friday to participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling and theft from an employee benefit plan.
Three Footballers Charged With Suspicious Horse Betting Activity
LONDON (Reuters) - Three footballers have been charged with serious rule breaches after an investigation into suspicious betting activity by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the governing body said on Thursday.
Full Tilt Poker Payment Processor Chad Elie Sentenced to Five Months in Prison
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - A man who processed money illegally for three Internet poker companies whose U.S. operations were shut down has been sentenced in New York to five months in prison by a judge who says he played a "catch me if you can" game with the government.
Las Vegas resident Chad Elie was sentenced Wednesday by federal Judge Lewis Kaplan. The judge says evidence showed Elie didn't really care he was committing crimes even after he realized others in the online poker conspiracy were getting arrested.
Gambling Scandal May Cost Mass Congressman: Tisei Now Leading in Polls
BOSTON (Associated Press) — A new poll gives Republican challenger Richard Tisei (TIH'-say) a slight lead over seven-term incumbent Democrat John Tierney in the state's 6th Congressional District, but the survey also finds nearly one-third of likely voters undecided.
Witness in OK Gambling Case Attacked, Suffered Concussion and Black Eye
A witness in a high profile Oklahoma City gambling case was attacked back in July, according to his lawyer.
Full Tilt Poker Boss Howard Lederer Backs Out of Latest Interview Citing ‘Stress on Family’
Full Tilt Poker one time head honcho Howard Lederer has come under fire in recent days for a series of interviews he took part in at two media sites (one a 7-hour long event).
Howard Lederer Files and the ‘I Don’t Know’ Montage (Video)
The poker community is abuzz with talk about the latest video interview series featuring disgraced former Full Tilt Poker part-owner and ring leader Howard Lederer.
No Mention of Offshore Gambling Biz During John Tierney Richard Tisei First Debate
Perhaps challenger Richard Tisei is saving the best for last but Thursday night’s first debate in Massachusetts 6th Congressional contest made no mention of incumbent Democrat John Tierney’s affiliation to an offshore sports betting enterprise.
Alabama Casino Lobbyist Gets Probation
MONTGOMERY – (Associated Press) - The first person to plead guilty in Alabama’s gambling corruption investigation was sentenced to probation Tuesday for helping bring down two bigger players in a bribery scheme designed to keep electronic bingo casinos operating.
Alabama Casino Lobbyist Jennifer Pouncy to be Sentenced Today
A casino lobbyist who admitted to bribing Alabama officials as part of a “vote selling” scheme will be sentenced in Montgomery today.
The one time Country Crossing casino lobbyist Jennifer Pouncy is hoping to receive probation although prosecutors are recommending two years in prison. She faces five years for her conspiracy plea.
Country Crossing Casino developer Ronnie Gilley has already been sentenced to prison more than five years in prison for his role in the scheme. Gilley's lobbyist, Jarrod Massey, received the same sentence.
Slain Woman’s Husband One of Those Charged in Oklahoma City High Stakes Poker Case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The husband of a slain Oklahoma City woman is one of nine people accused of running an illegal gambling operation that included high-stakes poker games, U.S. Attorney Sanford Coats said Monday.
81-Count Federal Indictment Unsealed in Oklahoma Gambling, Money Laundering Case
(Source: FBI) - OKLAHOMA CITY—Today, an 81-count federal indictment was unsealed charging 10 defendants with crimes involving an illegal gambling operation and the money laundering of proceeds derived from that operation, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma; Jim Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Andrea D. Whelan, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.
The defendants charged in this indictment are:
DOJ Confirms it has Possession of Absolute Poker Software Platform
PokerFuse.com is reporting that the US Department of Justice confirmed receipt of a copy of shuttered Absolute Poker’s software platform last week from Korean developer Quad Dimensions.
Congressman Tierney Family Gambling Ties ‘Fair Play’
Massachusetts Republican candidate for Congress, Richard R. Tisei, has vowed that his opponent’s family ties to an offshore gambling operation will be brought up during upcoming debates.
Poker Champ Jonathan Dahamel Former Girlfriend Pleads Guilty to Home Invasion
LONGUEUIL, Que. – (Canadian Press) - The ex-girlfriend of poker champion Jonathan Duhamel pleaded guilty Friday to three criminal charges in connection with his beating and robbery.
Fifth Suspect in Jonathan Duhamel Home Invasion Arrested: Girlfriend to Plea Guilty
Just one day before 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel’s former girlfriend is expected to plead guilty in the brazen December armed robbery of his home, a fifth suspect has been apprehended and faces eight criminal charges.
The yet-to-be-identified suspect is believed to have been the getaway driver that day. Charges include armed robbery; illegal confinement; issuing threats; mischief; breaking and entering; and conspiracy.
Online Gambling Payment Processor Gets 36 Months Behind Bars
Donald Hellinger has been sentenced to 36 years behind bars for illegally transmitting $44 million in overseas Internet gambling winnings to US citizens through a defunct Bucks Country company during the years 2005 and 2006.
Breaking News: Full Tilt Poker Exec Nelson Burtnick Pleads Guilty
NEW YORK – (Associated Press) - A Canadian man who once led the payment processing at two online poker companies pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy and gambling charges, agreeing to cooperate in the government's crackdown on the businesses.
Nelson Burtnick, of Vancouver, entered the plea before a magistrate judge in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where several others have already pleaded guilty to similar charges. He is among nearly a dozen people charged in a case that shut down U.S. operations of the three largest poker companies.
The Howard Lederer Files: Full Tilt Poker Frontman Speaks Out in 7-Hour Interview
Poker News was scheduled to begin publishing the first segment of what it is calling “The Howard Lederer Files” (or “The Lederer Files” for short) beginning today Tuesday September 18, 2012.
Nebraska State Senator Pleads Guilty in Gambling Probe
Nebraska State Senator Brenda Council has plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of violating campaign finance laws in connection to gambling.
Council admitted to making 36 withdrawals totaling $63,000 from her campaign account for the purpose of gambling. $36,000 of those funds were ultimately returned.
Another Philly Mobster Sentenced for Illegal Gambling, Loan Sharking
South Philadelphia mobster, Martin Angelina, 50, has been sentenced to nearly five year in a federal prison for racketeering related to loan sharking and illegal gambling.
Angelina had already plead guilty last month to a racketeering conspiracy and admitted to using extortion to collect on loans.
Feds Dispute Cardroom International’s Rights to Full Tilt Poker Software
The US Government has filed a response to Cardroom International’s assertion that it has rights to control Full Tilt Poker’s software. Full Tilt Poker, which was acquired by PokerStars this summer, is set to come back online the first week in October.
Cardroom had previously filed a Civil Racketeering Influenced and Corruption Organization Act (RICO) suit alleging wrongdoing by Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars last month.
