High Stake Poker Players Accept Plea Deals in Russian Mob Gambling Probe

Two high stakes poker players have plead guilty to reduced charges in connection to a gambling ring bust that allegedly has ties to the Russian Mob.

Justin Smith, 25, and Edwin Ting, 41, have plead guilty to running an Internet gambling business.  They are two of 34 individuals charged.

Two other men plead guilty earlier in the week.

The indictments culminated in a raid of Manhattan’s prestigious Helly Nahmad gallery, located inside the Carlyle Hotel, on April 16. 

Gallery owner, Hillel Nahad, was among those charged.  Also charged was a female hostess of high stakes poker game, Molly Bloom.  She is affectionately known as the "Princess of Poker". 

The gambling ring was reportedly financed by Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov, who is described by prosecutors as a “made member” of a Russian organized-crime gang  known as the Taiwanchik-Trincher Organization.”  The indictment alleges that Tokhtakhounov acted as a "protector" for the group. 

In addition to the high stakes poker games, the group operated a massive sports betting ring out of the Ukraine and Russia with the indictment claiming that funds were laundered in the US via bank accounts located in Cyprus. 

The US Government was also attempting to seize two Miami estates and an apartment in New York’s opulent Trump Tower as part of the investigation.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com