Crime
Indicted Gambling Guru Obtains New Attorney: May Ditch ‘Insanity’ Defense
Adam Meyer, the self-professed “Gambling Guru to the Stars”, is seeking a new attorney.
Meyer was charged late last year with running an elaborate sports handicapping fraud scheme whereby he attempted to extort $25 million from a Wisconsin businessman.
And the State With the Highest Gambling Embezzlement Rate is...
Which U.S. state do you think has the highest gambling embezzlement rates in the nation? Is it:
Wayne Root to be Executive Producer of New Investigation Discovery Series
The former 2008 U.S. Vice Presidential nominee on the Libertarian ticket, Wayne Root, will act as Executive Producer for a new true crime show to debut on Investigation Discovery.
Root, who is also a contributing writer to the Gambling911.com website and best selling author, was given the green light this week for his idea by the popular cable network.
Bookies Behaving Badly Part 3 – The Lawsuit Edition
When country crooner Johnny Cash sang about "A Boy Named Sue," he wasn't referring to pioneer offshore bookmaker Dennis Atiyeh.
But he could have been.
Atiyeh, to many, was one of the original "bookies behaving badly."
He was a real-life "Dennis the Menace" to those who crossed him, ready to file a devastating lawsuit at the drop of a hat against anyone who got in his way.
Man Faces Up to 25 Years in Attempted Murder of 83-Year-Old During Poker Game
A Syracuse man, Charquan Edwards, 23, is facing trial in the attempted murder of an 83-year-old man (unidentified to the media) after losing nearly $10,000 during a high stakes poker game.
After leaving on two occasions to go home and retrieve more money, Edwards returned for a third occasion, this time with a gun. He shot twice at the ceiling before the two men began fighting.
Crackdowns in Chinese Gambling Hub Macau Continue With 17 More Arrests
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Police in the global gambling hub of Macau have arrested 17 people this week after raiding pawn shops thought to be easing the illicit flow of money from China, whose slowing economy is prompting authorities to try and curb capital flight.
Unsolved Mysteries of the Gambling World Part 1: The Cantor Curse?
When one thinks of Cantor Gaming, the first thing that might not come to mind is the tragic events of 9-11 when two planes were flown into New York’s World Trade Center buildings. Those buildings ultimately collapsed and 2,996 lost their lives.
Cyber Terrorism Strikes Major Horse Betting Site Xpressbet
Xpressbet, one of the largest U.S.-based online horse racing betting sites, disclosed this week that they were the latest victim of cyber terrorism.
The attack occurred Saturday August 22, considered the biggest day of the week for horse racing in the United States. It was also the day of the all-important $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) from Delmar.
Caesars Entertainment to Pay $20 Million to Settle Anti-Money Laundering Lapses
Caesars Entertainment has agreed to pay $20 million to settle U.S. charges related to anti-money laundering lapses, it was revealed this week.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Shocking Mob Funeral: ‘You Conquered Rome, Now You’ll Conquer Paradise’
It was a funeral like no other: flowers thrown from a hovering helicopter, horse drawn carriages and “Godfather’ songs blaring from speakers. You would have thought it was a wedding.
Mourners were left horrified at the funeral of Italian mobster Vittorio Casamonica, 65, a marginal member of the local Casamonica family. Now the Mayor of Rome, where the observances took place, wants to know how this could have happened.
Malta Changes Online Gambling Policies in Light of Recent Raids, Scandal
The Maltese Government will begin to embrace new policies pertaining to its lucrative online gambling sector following a series of arrests and controversies.
Malta last year requested an opinion from the European Court of Justice pertaining to the Manipulation of Sports Competitions but have now decided to take on a different approach.
From Online-Casinos.org:
Oklahoma State Senator Who Stole $1.8 Mil Resigns: Recovering Gambling Addict
TULSA, Okla. (Associated Press) — A two-term Oklahoma state senator admitted in federal court Thursday that he stole $1.8 million from the nonprofit agency where he worked and filed a false tax return.
Jared Fogle Future Betting Off Limits But NFL Player Arrests Wagers are Available
Many folks have been inquiring as to when online gambling sites intend to begin offering betting odds on Jared Fogle, the longtime former Subway spokesperson who plead guilty Wednesday to charges of distributing child pornography and illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
China Arrests 15,000 on Suspicion of Cybercrimes, Including Gambling
BEIJING (Associated Press) — Chinese police have arrested 15,000 people on suspicion of cybercrimes as the government tightens its control over the Internet, the Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday.
Mob Rat Turns Dog Trainer for Disabled Vets
Mob rat Salvatore (Sammy Bull) Gravano, now serving 20 years in prison on a drug conviction, is attempting to get his sentenced reduced by training dogs for disabled vets.
The former Gambino underboss, now 70, had his attorney Thomas Farinella present papers in Brooklyn Federal Court to demonstrate the good work he has done while in prison.
Man Admits Bringing Counterfeit Chips to Casino Then Flushing Them Down Toilet
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — (Associated Press) - A man admitted Thursday that he brought millions of dollars in counterfeit poker chips to use in a casino's poker tournament, a scheme that was uncovered when he clogged a pipe by flushing the chips down the toilet in his hotel room.
Phil Mickelson, Billy Walters ‘Insider Trading’ Probe Continues
An FBI and SEC investigation is ongoing as to whether golfer Phil Mickelson received insider trading tips from Nevada-based professional sports bettor Billy Walters.
DeCavalcante Crime Family Boss John Riggi Dies: Was Not Inspiration for ‘Sopranos’
The one time crime boss of a family once believed to have inspired the hit series “The Sopranos” has passed away at the age of 90.
John Riggi of Edison, New Jersey was confirmed dead by the Corsentino Home for Funerals in Elizabeth, N.J. at the age of 90.
Riggi had served 20 years for racketeering with additional terms tacked on for complicity in contract killings. He was released in 2012.
Michigan Mafia to Blame for State Rep’s Sex With Gay Prostitute Scandal
Michigan State Representative Todd Courser (R-Lapeer) is blaming the East Lansing Mafia for trying to blackmail him because of his political beliefs.
“I see this as the way the establishment machine gets everyone to do what they are told to do and have no one question their authority,” says Courser.
Son-In-Law of Late Mobster John Gotti Indicted on Charges of Racketeering
The son-in-law of late Mob kingpin John Gotti was formerly indicted over the weekend for his alleged role in a $4.2 million scrap metal processing fraud.
Ring Leaders in Violent California Sports Betting Ring Sentenced: Got Off Light
Two brothers, both of whom were ring leaders of a violent California-based illegal sports betting ring, have been sentenced to less than two years in prison and each must pay a fine of $50,000. Each had been facing up to 20 years prison time.
Erik Portocarrero, 44, and his brother, Jan Harald Portocarrero, 42, ran Macho Sports out of both California and the South American nation of Peru.
Donald Trump and the Mob: His Ties are Extensive According to Report
Last week, Chris Frates, CNN Investigative Correspondent, published an intriguing report on real estate mogul and GOP Presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s dealings with the Mob.
Trump's alleged ties to New York and Philadelphia crime families go back decades and have been recounted in a book, newspapers and government records, Frates notes.
Gambler Drops Cocaine on Casino Floor: Gets $300 Fine
A gambler in Australia charged with dropping 0.34 grams of cocaine on a table while gambling plead guilty and received a $300 fine.
The Australian Broadcast Corporation reported that the drugs fells out of his wallet when he was grabbing money to place a bet.
He continued to try to gamble, shrugging off the incident and telling police the cocaine was “just a few party drugs for tonight”.
Gambling Kingpin Wang Bo Deported Back to China
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration on Thursday confirmed the deportation of Chinese gambling lord Wang Bo.
BI Spokesperson Elaine Tan said that Wang was escorted by four Chinese nationals and boarded a flight back to Guangzhou, China on Thursday at 9 am.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima issued the summary deportation (SDO) order for Wang last March.
Baaaaaad Boys: Mafia Figures ‘Sheep’ Code Broken by Authorities
(Reuters) - Police in Sicily arrested 11 suspected mobsters they believe were helping Sicilian mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro evade capture and spread his orders to the rest of the criminal organisation - via handwritten notes.
The suspects used coded language to communicate with the highest-ranking Sicilian mob boss currently at large, police said in a statement.
Malta Suspends Nine Online Gambling Licenses in Wake of Mafia Scandal
One of the largest online gambling jurisdictions, Malta, has come under extreme scrutiny in recent days following news that a former prime minister’s son had ties to the Italian mafia, more specifically he ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate.
Last week, Italian authorities €2bn (£1.4bn, $2.2bn) of assets that belonged to the organization.
BetOnSports Founder Must Pay $36 Mil in Back Taxes: Loses Appeal
ST. LOUIS (Associated Press) - A federal appeals court has rejected attempts by the founder of a former online betting site to avoid paying $36 million in delinquent taxes and penalties, dismissing claims that his plea deal in a related criminal case precluded the government from pursuing the debt.
Investigators Under Investigation in Criminal Casino Case
BOSTON (Associated Press) - A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday over allegations that private investigators working for Wynn Resorts gained unauthorized access to files in a joint state and federal criminal probe that now figures into Massachusetts's biggest casino project.
U.S. District Court Magistrate Marianne Bowler took the arguments under advisement and is expected to decide whether to hold a hearing on the allegations as requested by defense lawyers for former owners of the waterfront property where Wynn wants to develop a $1.7 billion casino.
‘Frankie The Flea’, ‘The Worm’ and Other BetEagle Agents Lead to Owner’s Sentencing
The owner of long established Costa Rica-based online and call center bookmaker BetEagle.com has been sentenced to 18 months behind bars by a U.S. District Court judge.
High Stakes Gamblers Were Allowed to Abuse Dealers, Throw Bananas, Urinate on Walls
Transcripts of a May hearing before the Mohegan Sun tribal gaming commission reveal that high rollers were allowed to abuse dealers, urinate on walls, throw bananas at fellow gamblers and expect rules to be bent at the tables.
