Crime

Poker Book ‘Alligator Blood’ to be Made Into Movie: ‘Rat’ Tzvetkoff to the Big Screen

The James Leighton book “Alligator Blood” will be heading to the big screen, it was revealed Monday.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Mon, 05/05/2014 - 22:17

Former Nuke Commander Reprimanded in Counterfeit Poker Chips Case

WASHINGTON (Associated Press) — The Navy says the admiral who was fired last fall as the No. 2 commander of U.S. nuclear forces has been reprimanded and fined for violating the military's code of conduct but allowed to remain on duty as a Navy staff officer.

A Navy criminal investigation failed to determine with certainty how Rear Adm. Timothy Giardina obtained counterfeit poker chips that he used last summer at a casino in Iowa. At the time, Giardina was serving as deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command in Omaha, Neb., with responsibility for nuclear forces.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 05/05/2014 - 18:05

Man Gets 3 Years in Russian Mob Gambling Case: Penchant for Violence Revealed

An associate of a notorious Russian Mob boss was sentenced this week to three years for his role in a sports betting ring that generated around $100 million. His sentence came just one day prior to the same judge ordering a wealthy art gallery owner to one year behind bars.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 05/01/2014 - 11:25

Art Gallery Owner Gets One Year in Jail for Roll in Russian Mafia Gambling Ring

NEW YORK (Associated Press) — A wealthy Manhattan art scion was sentenced to a year and day in prison on Wednesday for illegal gambling after a judge accused him of trying to avoid punishment by offering to use his family's fortune to fund an art appreciation charity for disadvantaged children.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 04/30/2014 - 21:54

Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police VP Pleads Guilty in Gambling Case

SANFORD, Fla. (Associated Press) — The longtime vice president of the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police has pleaded guilty, but won't face any jail time for his role with a veterans' organization that prosecutors say was as a front for a $300 million gambling operation.

Robert Freitas made the plea in court Tuesday and has agreed to testify in other cases, if necessary.

"The state's not seeking any sanction beyond the time he's already served," said attorney Tad Yates, who represented Freitas.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Wed, 04/30/2014 - 13:00

Massachusetts Attorney General Hopeful has Ties to Online Gambling

Massachusetts Attorney General hopeful Warren Tolman reportedly promoted technology that would make online betting more appealing to young people.

From the Globe:

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mon, 04/28/2014 - 11:47

Couple Will Forfeit $2 Million From Illegal Gambling Operation

A defendant in an illegal gambling case out of Oklahoma has agreed to forfeit $2 million in cash and property to the federal government as part of a plea deal.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mon, 04/28/2014 - 11:34

Art Dealer Tied to Russian Mob Run Gambling Ring Case Blames His Dad for Woes

Playboy art dealer Hillel “Helly” Nahmad is blaming his dear ‘ol dad for his gambling problems. Nahmad was one of 30 charged for running high stakes poker games with ties to the Russian Mafia. He has since plead guilty to a lesser charge and is due to be sentenced in Manhattan on April 30.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Thu, 04/24/2014 - 11:08

Las Vegas Removes Dead Gambler From Infamous Black Book

We now know what happens to “casino cheats” after they die. Las Vegas removes them from their infamous Black Book. Whether they go to Heaven or Hell is anyone’s guess.

Roderick William Dee II made his way off the Black Book this past week. He died this past December at the age of 59 from a four-year bout with cancer.

The former casino dealer had four felony convictions for slot machine incidents, three of which were in Nevada.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Tue, 04/22/2014 - 22:03

New Milwaukee Bucks Owner ‘Close Friend” to Alleged Russian Mobster

The Milwaukee Bucks are being sold and one of the new owners enjoys a “close friendship” to with a 27-year-old Russian who was among the 34 people charged nearly a year ago today in connection to a high-stakes poker game at the Carlyle Hotel and in Hollywood with alleged mob ties. One of those arrested operated an art gallery within the hotel.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Mon, 04/21/2014 - 23:01

Israeli Crime Boss Found Shot in Head at Home: Family Ran Gambling Biz

The head of the Netanya crime family in Israel, Charlie Abutbul, has died after being found shot in the head. Abutbul succumbed to his injuries after arriving at the hospital. Police have not yet determined whether the gunshot wound was the result of a suicide or homicide.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Fri, 04/18/2014 - 12:08

35 Arrested Outside Newly Opened Jack’s Casino in Doetinchem: Man Stabbed

Ten police officers arrived at the scene of a brawl outside Jack’s Casino in Doetinchem, Holland Friday morning that left one man stabbed multiple times. 35 arrests were made.

Jack’s had not even begun its first day of business when the brawl took place. A quarrel started some time just before 8 pm as patrons waited for the casino doors to open. It was not immediately known what caused the fight.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Fri, 04/18/2014 - 11:29

Head of Online Sports Betting Ring Arrested in Naples

The head of an online sports betting ring with ties to Costa Rica and the Mob was arrested last week according to court documents.

Thomas Welch, 48, of Poinciana Village, near Naples, Florida, was charged with multiple racketeering, extortion and money laundering for his role in running the online website Alydar653.com.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 04/16/2014 - 21:43

Atlantic City Casino Suffers Fake Chip Scam in Poker Tournament

A casino in New Jersey has been at the heart of a scandal that saw them host a poker tournament to only have to suspend the action following the discovery of fake chips that had been introduced into the tournament by one participant.

With one player of a 2,100 strong player field thought to have been feeding fake chips into the tournament, the casino decided that they needed to suspend play pending an investigation as the man from North Carolina is questioned over his role within the deception.

Submitted by Payton on, Wed, 04/16/2014 - 17:25

Florida Bookie Tied to Legends Sports Bust Avoids Additional Jail Time

A Florida man tied to what authorities call a billion dollar illegal sports betting ring was sentenced in a New York State district court to time already served.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Wed, 04/16/2014 - 11:01

Man Accused of Spending $250K on State Credit Card to Fund Gambling

FALLON, Nev. (Associated Press) — A Nevada Department of Transportation employee in Fallon has been charged with using a state credit card to support his gambling habit.

Tal Pierre Smith is accused of using the credit card to buy about $250,000 worth of items he later pawned or sold to pay for the activity.

A six-count indictment was filed against Smith this week in New River Township Justice Court in Fallon, the Nevada Appeal reported.

Submitted by Associated Press on, Mon, 04/14/2014 - 14:47

Poker Pro Cyril Mouly, Murdered Driver Were on Trial for Fraud

A 38-year-old French poker player who claimed he and his driver were attacked by two masked assailants upon leaving a poker game was arrested in 2011 and charged with fraud.

Submitted by Ace King on, Thu, 04/10/2014 - 22:48

French Poker Pro Cyril Mouly Attacked by Masked Men: Driver Killed

French poker player Cyril Mouly was brutally attacked after leaving a Paris tournament Tuesday night.

Submitted by Ace King on, Thu, 04/10/2014 - 14:54

Reverend Al Sharpton a One-Time Mafia Associate? Was FBI Informant (Video)

A damning report on TheSmokingGun.com suggests that MSNBC host, the Reverend Al Sharpton, was once a Mob associate-turned FBI snitch.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 04/09/2014 - 23:33

Sweeping Arrests in Expansive Florida $300 Mil Gambling Case

A press conference at 4 pm EDT Thursday afternoon announced the arrests of more individuals in a gambling case that has gripped the state of Florida.

The case originated from a scheme involving Internet cafes that was said to have netted around $300 million.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Thu, 04/03/2014 - 16:04

Chinese Mining, Gambling Tycoon Charged With Murder Goes on Trial

A former Chinese mining tycoon who started his career by running gambling centers in Guanghan is set to stand trial in the murder of nine individuals. His brother and 34 associates of their “mafia-style” gang were also charged in February.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Wed, 04/02/2014 - 22:25

Former Legends Sportsbook Employee Deported Back to Panama

A high level former employee of the now defunct Legends Sportsbook will be deported back to Panama after serving nearly a year in home confinement in the USA.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Tue, 04/01/2014 - 15:37

Man Tied to Murders at Detroit Barber Shop, Gambling Den Charged With Assault

A man linked to the shooting deaths of three individuals at a Detroit barbershop that doubled as an illegal gambling den has been charged with assault.

A federal court jury on Monday convicted Larry Walker II of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer for trying to ram an unmarked police car in the hours following the November incident.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 04/01/2014 - 11:45

Senator Engaged in Automatic Weapons Sale Deal While Preaching Gun Control

A California state Senator indicted last week for his alleged role in a money laundering and gambling scheme, attempted to broker an international arms deal with a US Federal agent all the while pushing gun control in the state.

The FederalBureau of Investigation arrested Yee last Wednesday morning, along with infamous Chinatown gang leader Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow and 24 other individuals.

Perhaps empowered by the series of successful multi-thousand-dollar transactions, Yee upped the ante — and in the process dug himself a far deeper hole with the FBI.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mon, 03/31/2014 - 16:08

Arrests Made in Borgata Credit Card Fraud Scheme

Two individuals have been apprehended following an investigation into a credit card fraud scheme at Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel and Casino.

The New Jersey pair allegedly attempted to fraudulently charge more than $500,000 using stolen account numbers, were arrested early Saturday, March 29, at the Borgata Casino, in Atlantic City.

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:44

Police: Graham, Chaffetz Online Gambling Bill Would Lead to Increase in Crime

Last week, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Utah Republican representative Jason Chaffetz introduced the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, which seeks to strengthen current federal online gambling prohibition. The legislation also would prevent individual states from legalizing the activity, including those like Nevada and New Jersey that already offer real money Web gambling.

Submitted by Nagesh Rath on, Mon, 03/31/2014 - 00:38

Ravens Ray Rice Marries Fiancee One Day After Indictment for Beating Her

ESPN was reporting Saturday that Ravens running back Ray Rice has married his fiancée a day after being indicted for beating her in an Atlantic City casino.