Three Men Accused in Ottawa Organized Crime Gambling Bust Out on Bail

Three individuals charged in connection with running an illegal online gambling website with alleged ties to organized crime in Ottawa, Canada have been released on bail over the weekend.

Benedetto Manasseri, Stephen Parrish and Gary Saikaley were all held in custody after their arrests earlier this week.

All three men were required to post $10,000 bonds, and their sureties — one for each of the accused — were also required to post $10,000 bonds.

Eighteen others have been charged as part of a massive sweep entitled Project Amethyst, launched in 2010 by the RCMP.  Some of the charges include conspiracy, recording of bets, engaging in bookmaking activities, extortion by threats, menaces of violence and being associated with a criminal organization. 

Millions of dollars in wagers were said to have run through the operation that is also alleged to have had ties to marijuana grow-ops. 

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com