Crime
Poker Princess Pleads Not Guilty in High Stakes Poker Russian Mob Probe
A woman cited for running high stakes poker games for celebrities, athletes and Wall Street bigwigs has pleaded Not Guilty.
Bloom and 33 others were indicted this past week in connection with their affiliation to a multi-million dollar international gambling ring alleged to have ties to the Russian Mafia. She was arraigned in a Manhattan federal court on Friday.
Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Capo Anthony Staino Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Gambling
Anthony Staino, 55, of Swedesboro, N.J., pleaded guilty yesterday to participating in a racketeering conspiracy as a capo in the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family and committing loan sharking and illegal gambling.
Not a Pretty Picture Painted of Art Dealer Tied to Poker, Sports Betting Probe
The Business Insider of Australia gave the low down on New York-based art dealer Helly Nahmad, a Lebanese-American indicted this week in connection with an international high stakes poker/sports betting ring.
It ain’t all that pretty either.
Megan Willett writes:
Producer of Showtime’s ‘Ray Donovan’ Denies Wrongdoing in FBI Poker Sting
Bryan Zuriff, an Executive Producer for the upcoming Showtime drama “Ray Donovan” has denied any wrongdoing in connection to an FBI probe of high stake poker games and sports betting with ties to the Russian Mafia.
Insurance Broker Used $1.9 Million of Clients Funds to Gamble Online
An insurance broker from Prudential has been indicted, charged with allegedly bilking his insurance clients out of over $1.9 million and using those funds to gamble online.
The indictment alleges that Daniel J. Trolaro, 34, unlawfully used the funds of nine clients to place wagers via the Internet from June 2008 through February of this year while employed at Prudential in East Hanover, New Jersey.
Trolaro will not be arrested, however, he must appear before a judge in Morris County in the coming weeks.
Ohio AG Unit Raids Internet Cafes Over Illegal Gambling
COLUMBUS – (Associated Press) - Early Wednesday afternoon, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty were in Euclid and announced the execution of six search warrants on six separate internet cafes that are currently open and operating illegally in Cuyahoga County.
Three are owned by VS2 Software, the company that supplies the Video Lottery Terminals.
Legends Sports to Shut Down: Will Transfer Accounts to Other Book
Exactly one week after indictments were handed down against 34 individuals tied to Panama-based Legends Sports, that long established sportsbook has made the decision to shut down.
Legends alerted customers via email that they were in talks with another top online sportsbook to have all accounts transferred.
NJ Men Arrested for Running Illegal Poker Games Tied to Russian Mob
Yugheshwar Rajkumar of Bergen County, New Jersey, has been taken into custody for his alleged role in running high stakes poker games tied to Russian organized crime.
The games were attended by Hollywood celebrities, athletes and high powered Wall Street executives, according to an indictment handed down on Tuesday.
Youth Brutally Murdered for Protesting Gambling Racket: Genitals Cut
An Indian youth was brutally murdered for his role in protesting a gambling racket.
The body of 20-year-old Subho Dhaki was found Tuesday morning at Shibtala in Dhulagarh, Howrah, under Sankrail police station. His genitals had been cut and placed in his pocket. Dhaki’s throat was also slashed.
The victim had protested gambling activity near his home at the Dhulagarh Market.
Spiros ‘The Greek’ Athanas Released on $1 Million Bond
One of online sports betting’s most legendary bookmakers, Spiros “The Greek” Athanas, has been released on $1 million bond according to court documents.
Athanas, one of 34 charged last Wednesday in connection to his alleged role in a multi-billion dollar sports betting ring, turned himself in two days later.
FBI Names Poker Hostess Molly Bloom, Others in Massive Gambling Ring Raid
Feds released the names of poker players connected to an investigation into a Russian organized crime ring that held high stakes poker games.
FBI agents arrested several people Tuesday in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and elsewhere as part of the investigation. Federal agents also searched a Madison Avenue art gallery located within the prestigious Carlyle Hotel.
NY’s Carlyle Hotel Raided in High Stakes Poker Probe With Mafia, Art Ties
A section of New York’s ritzy Carlyle Hotel was raided on early Tuesday in connection to an international multi-billion dollar gambling investigation with alleged ties to the Russian Mafia.
Legends Sports ‘Bookie’ to Remain Behind Bars: Deemed a ‘Fight Risk’
While three of four individuals arrested in Florida for their role in a massive multi billion dollar sports betting ring have been released on bond, one will remain behind bars.
Prosecutors claim Philip Gurian, 51, acted as a “bookie” out of his Boca Raton home on behalf of Panama-based Legends Sports. The Sun-Sentinel reported Monday evening that Gurian had employees working for him in 10 different states and 6 countries. He is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Full Tilt Poker Founder Ray Bitar Sentenced to Time Served
Full Tilt Poker founder Ray Bitar plead guilty last week to operating an illegal online poker company.
Bitar who is awaiting a heart transplant and only has 6 months to a year to live without one, will not be serving any prison time. The former Full Tilt Poker head was sentenced to time served exactly two years to the day he was indicted.
Hearing Delayed for Oklahoma Man Charged in Florida Case
ANADARKO, Okla. (Associated Press) - An extradition hearing has been delayed for an Oklahoma man indicted in Florida over an alleged illegal gambling ring.
Chase Burns is the owner of International Internet Technologies. He faces racketeering and conspiracy charges over several Internet cafes affiliated with Allied Veterans of the World.
Federal prosecutors allege the cafes are illegal casinos - and that those involved have been using the charity as a front for a $300 million gambling operation.
Business as Un-Usual: Legends Sports Still Paying Out Within Hours
While no official statement has been issued by the betting company following Wednesday’s shocking wave of indictments by US law enforcement, a few customers of Legends.com (also found at www.legends.eu) have reported payouts within just a matter of hours on Thursday.
First Ever Online Gambling Affiliate Indicted for Recommending Website
In the first case of its kind, an online gambling affiliate based in the US has been named in an indictment for promoting an online sportsbook by simply recommending them.
Gregory “Patchman” Roberts was among 34 charged in a sweeping investigation into a sports betting operative, Legends Sports, which authorities claim had operatives based in both the US and in Panama. Gambling911.com first broke the story Wednesday afternoon.
Law Enforcement Used Skype Wire Taps in Sports Betting Probe Tied to Legends
Law enforcement utilized wire tapping of Skype conversations in an international offshore gambling probe that resulted in charges against principals of Legends Sports in Panama and others.
Legends Sports: ‘All Players Funds Safe Following OKC Indictment’
The US Justice Department out of Oklahoma City filed a 96-page indictment against one of Central America’s oldest US-facing bookmaking operations. Legends Sports and 34 individuals connected to the lucrative wagering business were charged with running an illegal sports betting ring, a story first broke by Gambling911.com.
57 Charged With Operating Illegal Sports Betting Ring
From FBI Oklahoma Division….It is not immediately known if individuals arrested earlier in the day from Albany, New York were tied to this matter. Both men were charged with their role in an extensive sports betting ring with arrests that were taking place thoughout the country Wednesday. This story is very fluid....
Head man of TheGreek.com also named in indictment.
Breaking News: Sports Betting Agents Being Rounded Up Throughout Florida
Gambling911.com has learned that the Northern District of New York was in the process of rounding up sportsbook agents throughout the state of Florida and elsewhere.
Details were not immediately known, however, the indictments are currently under seal and G911 has been unable to obtain further information.
Oh My God! Gambling Nun Admits Stealing $128k From Churches
(Associated Press) - A Roman Catholic nun with a gambling addiction has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $130,000 from two rural western New York parishes.
The Daily News of Batavia reports that 68-year-old Sister Mary Anne Rapp pleaded guilty Monday in Orleans County Court to grand larceny. She admits she stole the money from St. Mary's Church in Holley and St. Mark's Church in Kendall from March 2006 to April 2011.
Rapp faces up to six months in jail when she's sentenced July 1. She'll also be required to pay restitution that would be worked out at a later date.
Prosecutors Will Sentence Former Full Tilt Poker Head to Death if Jail Time Sought
With news that Full Tilt Poker former CEO Ray Bitar has plead guilty in connection to a April 11, 2011 indictment for money laundering and bank fraud, we have also learned that the disgraced businessman is now facing death.
Full Tilt Poker Former CEO Ray Bitar Pleads Guilty: Awaits Heart Transplant
The former CEO of Full Tilt Poker Raymond Bitar has plead guilty to money laundering and bank fraud.
Indicted on April 15, 2011 on what has become known as “Black Friday”, Bitar was facing significant prison time.
Bitar, however, remains hospitalized as he is about to undergo a heart transplant.
China Dismisses Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Macau ‘Influence’
Billionaire and Chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sheldon Adelson last week testified that he did not authorize former President William Weidner’s offer of a share of the company’s Macau profits to a Hong Kong businessman.
Florida Bans Internet Cafes in Wake of Gambling Scandal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Associated Press) — Florida legislators voted overwhelmingly Thursday to ban storefront gaming operations, a quick response to a scandal that led to dozens of arrests and the lieutenant governor's resignation.
The bill is now headed to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott, who said he will sign it. The operations, commonly called "Internet cafes," would allow customers to play sweepstakes games that simulated slot machines.
Gambling Addict Steals Baby’s iPhone: Caught on Camera
How bad a problem is gambling addiction? Just ask 72-year-old gambling addict Kenneth Fletcher of Liverpool, England.
Poker Personality Nolan Dalla Conned Out of $37k by ‘Notorious’ Peter Falcone
Nolan Dalla has come forward to declare he was conned out of $37,000 by one time best friend Peter Falcone.
Dalla writes on his blog in a three-part series admitting his vulnerability.
Peter Falcone.
Mass Organized Crime Figure Joseph Giallanella Sentenced to 2 Years
WOBURN, Mass. (Associated Press) — A 64-year-old North Andover man prosecutors say was a key associate in a loan sharking and illegal gambling operation has been sentenced to two years and a day in prison.
Florida House Could Inadvertently Ban Online Poker in State
With news this month of Florida’s legislatures banning Internet cafes in the wake of a massive money laundering scheme, there have been concerns raised that online poker could inadvertently be banned in the Sunshine State as a result.
The Florida House last week voted 110 to 6 to ban Internet cafes in the state.
