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.  

None of those who attended the games have been charged, however, one woman cited in the indictment, Molly Bloom, reportedly has hosted high stakes Hollywood poker games attended by the likes of New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod).  Bloom is known in some circles as the “Princess of Poker”.

In a statement, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge George Venizelos said that the vast array of charges help demonstrate the reach of Russian organized crime in the U.S. and across the world.

"The defendants are alleged to have handled untold millions in illegal wagers placed by millionaires and billionaires, laundered millions, and in some cases are themselves multimillionaires," he said.

Another New Jersey resident,  Anatoly Golubchik of Fort Lee, was also arrested Tuesday. 

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com