Crime
6 Plead Guilty in Bribery Linked to Choctaw Casino
TULSA, Okla. (Associated Press) — Six people linked to the construction of a Choctaw Nation casino pleaded guilty to bribery charges, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Five of the six people — Lauri Parsons, her husband Brent Parsons, Cordell Bugg, James Stewart, and Mark Eshenroder — owned or worked for companies that performed work or sold materials for the construction of the Durant casino, the U.S. attorney's office for the eastern district of Oklahoma said. The other person, Allen Franklin, was a project manager for the tribe.
Motion Filed to Suppress Evidence in Illegal Gambling Case
A new motion has been filed in an attempt to suppress evidence in a sports betting case that involves Jack Parker. He is the father of Brett Parker, a South Carolina bookmaker who is currently serving a life sentence for murdering his wife and an employee.
The evidence in question is a copy of an 8-page budget that could implicate, not only Jack Parker, but his deceased daughter-in-law.
From WISTV in Columbia:
Stoke City Striker Cameron Jerome Charged with Gambling Offenses
LONDON - (Reuters) - Stoke City striker Cameron Jerome has been charged with breaching unspecified Football Association regulations on betting, the governing body said on Monday.
Jerome, a former England Under-21 player, has admitted the charges and a date for an independent hearing will be set "in due course", the FA said on its website (www.thefa.com).
Potential Witness in Whitey Bulger Case Poisoned: Gangster Refuses to Testify
Authorities revealed Friday that a potential witness in the murder and racketeering case of Boston Mobster James “Whitey” Bulger had been poisoned.
William Camuti, 69, has since been charged with attempted murder in the death of Stephen Rakes.
Camuti allegedly laced a cup of McDonald's coffee with two teaspoons of potassium cyanide then gave it to Rakes for him to drink.
It is believed that Rakes owed Camuti money. Police are working on the assumption that Camuti acted alone and that the murder is not tied to the Bulger trial.
Lazio Captain Stefano Mauri Suspended Over Betting Scandal
(Canadian Press) - Lazio captain Stefano Mauri was banned for six months by the Italian football federation on Friday for his part in a match-fixing scandal.
Full Tilt Poker US Players to be Paid Soon
A US Justice Department Claims Administrator has concluded review of Full Tilt Poker balances and has advised that the payout process should begin shortly.
Softer Side of Gangster Whitey Bulger: Cuddling With Animals, Pedophile Priest
BOSTON (Associated Press) -- James "Whitey" Bulger's defense team has released photographs showing his softer side, including images of the reputed Boston gangster cuddling with animals.
The photos were filed late Wednesday.
Internet Cafes in Ohio Under Investigation for Alleged Illegal Gambling
MARYSVILLE, Ohio — (Associated Press) - A multi-agency investigation of online gambling targeted Internet cafes and other locations in seven Ohio counties with search warrants Thursday.
The task force has been investigating allegations of Ohio gambling law violations and allegations of illegal bingo and money laundering, authorities said. Marysville police said in a release that they expected to seize gambling machines, as well as financial and other records noted in the warrants.
No arrests were expected Thursday, although charges could be filed later, authorities said.
Man Sentenced for Running Online Gambling Website: FBI Agent was Customer
SHREVEPORT, La. — (Associated Press) - A Bossier City man has been sentenced to three years of probation and fined $50,000 for operating an illegal internet sports gambling site.
U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said Wednesday that U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. sentenced 34-year-old Terry Lee Doty Jr., who pleaded guilty in April to one count of transmission of wagering information — a federal felony offense.
Wayne Root: ‘Every Single Exec at CNBC Should be Fired’ Over ‘Money Talks’
Responding to the controversy over CNBC’s decision to air a sports handicapping reality series “Money Talks” based on something that arguably may not be reality at all, one of the more colorful Vegas sports handicappers blasted the network’s decision.
Wayne Root, who runs the sports handicapping service Winning Edge, tells Gambling911.com, “I'd say every single executive at CNBC should be fired immediately.”
Hartford Pizzeria Owner Sentenced in Gambino-Tied Sports Betting Ring
A U.S. District Judge, Vanessa Bryant, has sentenced Domenico Manchisi, 65, to six months behind bars for his role in operating a Gambino-run gambling business.
CNBC Comes Under Fire for ‘Money Talks’ Reality Series: Capper Scammed Elderly
CNBC’s announcement that they will be airing a new sports handicapping reality series this fall called “Money Talks” is beginning to cause quite a backlash.
Gambling High Roller Ramon DeSage Accused of Tax Evasion: Defrauded Investors
Las Vegas businessman, Ramon DeSage, who was previously accused of defrauding investors out of $191 million now faces additional allegations that he failed to pay nearly $87 million in federal income taxes.
The U.S. District Court in Las Vegas handed down a four-count indictment against DeSage on Tuesday. It illustrates casino and bank wire transfers totaling $15.1 million.
Prosecutors Claim Former FBI Agent Exaggerated Whitey Bulger Claims
BOSTON – (Associated Press) - Prosecutors on Tuesday suggested that a former FBI supervisor exaggerated his claim that he tried to end the FBI's corrupt relationship with reputed mobster James "Whitey" Bulger.
Robert Fitzpatrick, a former assistant special agent in charge of the Boston FBI office, testified that he tried to convince the FBI to terminate Bulger as an informant after Bulger was uncooperative and didn't appear to be helping the bureau's mission to gather information on the Mafia.
Poker Babe, Baseball Wife Anna Benson Once Charged With Satanic Murder (Video)
The ex-wife of former Major League Baseball player Kris Benson was once accused of killing a Knoxville, Tennessee man back in 1996.
Anna Benson allegedly attacked her ex during a home invasion earlier in the month.
Casino Developers in Cedar Rapids Allegedly Made ‘Illegal’ Political Contributions
Two casino executives placed in charge of overseeing development of a Cedar Rapids casino allegedly made illegal political contributions in late 2009 to then-Governor Chet Culver’s unsuccessful re-election campaign.
From the Gazette:
Boston Mobster Whitey Bulger May Testify at His Own Trial
BOSTON — (Associated Press) - As lawyers for James "Whitey" Bulger begin to defend him against a massive racketeering indictment charging him in 19 killings, one big question remains: Will he testify?
Some lawyers not connected to the case say Bulger has too much baggage to testify, including a prior criminal record and a long reputation as an organized crime figure.
But others say Bulger's case is different because, at age 83, he knows he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison and may be more interested in settling scores than being acquitted.
OK Attorney General Wants to Seize $8 Mil From Couple Tied to Legends Sports
OKLAHOMA CITY (Associated Press) — Oklahoma's attorney general is being allowed to continue an effort to seize nearly $8 million from an Anadarko couple and the corporations they control that prosecutors say is tied to an illegal gambling operation in Florida.
‘Ray Donovan’ Producer Bryan Zuriff Pleads Guilty in Sports Betting Case
A Hollywood producer has pleaded guilty in New York for his role in a high-stakes sports betting business run by an organized-crime enterprise.
Bryan Zuriff is executive producer of the Showtime series Ray Donovan. He pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to accepting a financial instrument in connection with unlawful Internet gambling.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH’-ruh) announced the plea Friday, saying Zuriff operated an illegal gambling enterprise in Los Angeles and helped run one in New York.
Wife and Son of Gambling Boss Masterminded His Truck Crash Murder
The wife and son of a gambling boss have been convicted for his brutal murder.
Jaya Bhagat, son Hitesh and four others were convicted for the truck crash murder of Suresh Bhagat on June 13, 2008.
A Mumbai court found that Jaya wanted to usurp his property and take over his multi-crore gambling business.
Jaya’s lover was also sought in the killing.
There were 80 witnesses to the murder.
44Wager.com Bookmaker Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison
A Norwalk, Connecticut man was sentenced Wednesday to four months behind bars for his role in running a Costa Rica-based online sportsbook, 44Wager.com.
The site has since been shuttered.
Poker Pro Masa Kagawa Arrested for Running Android Malware Ring
News broke across the poker stratosphere this week that high stakes player Masa Kagawa has been arrested for his alleged role in running an Android malware ring in addition to running a scam dating website.
Kagawa was taken into custody by Chiba Prefectural Police in Japan.
South Carolina Bookie Brett Parker Murder Case to Be Featured on ‘Dateline’
This Friday (July 26, 2013), ‘Dateline’ on NBC will feature a segment on South Carolina bookie Brett Parker entitled “Mystery at Ascot Estates”.
The show, which will air at 9 pm EST, features interviews with friends and associates of Parker’s wife, Tammy Jo Parker. Brett is currently serving a life sentence for shooting to death Tammy Jo and a sports betting clerk, Bryan Capnerhurst.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s lead investigator is also interviewed by “Dateline”.
Ohio Man Claims Casino Caused Robbery of $35K by Paying Him in Cash
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Associated Press) — A man who was robbed at home of more than $35,000 in gambling winnings sued the Ohio casino where he won the money, arguing a cashier should have issued him a check instead of cash.
Police said 29-year-old David Hayes was robbed at gunpoint of the stack of $100 bills when two armed men woke him at home hours after he left the Hollywood Casino Columbus with his winnings Oct. 21.
Hayes filed suit against the casino's operator, contending that he asked for a check when he cashed out his blackjack winnings but was given cash instead.
Another Man Pleads Guilty in Sports Betting Probe Tied to Legends Sports
A fourth man from the Albany, New York area has plead guilty for his role in a sports betting probe tied to now shuttered Legends Sports out of Panama City, Panama.
Craig Hayner pleaded guilty Tuesday in Albany County Court to promoting gambling, which is a felony.
Sports Handicapper Anthony Boscarino of Mike’s Lock Club Sentenced
TUCSON, AZ — Anthony Mark Boscarino, 47, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 135 months. Boscarino pleaded guilty January 23 and February 27, 2013, to 43 crimes including fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.
Venetian Boycott Not Working, Adelson Sees Triple Profits as Body Count Rises
Attempts to get poker players to boycott the Venetian Hotel and Casino’s Las Vegas poker room this week have apparently fallen on deaf ears.
The room has been bristling with action each and every day.
Gilley Asks for Reduced Sentencing in Votes for Sale Gambling Case
DOTHAN, Ala. (Associated Press) — Former Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley is asking a federal judge to reduce his federal prison sentence.
The Dothan Eagle reports that Gilley is making the request because he claims that his attorney provided ineffective representation.
It has been nearly a year after Gilley was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for multiple counts of bribery and money laundering in connection with a wide-ranging investigation into bribery tied to proposed gambling legislation.
Men Arrested for Knifepoint Holdup at Maryland Live! Casino
HANOVER, Maryland — (Associated Press) - Anne Arundel County police have arrested a man who confronted women at knifepoint at the Maryland Live! Casino.
Police say about 7:45 a.m. Sunday, a man with a knife approached a woman as she was about to enter an elevator and demanded her purse.
The woman refused to give up her purse, and the man fled.
Officers say while investigating that incident, they learned of another crime, in which a woman was in her car in the casino's garage and was robbed by a man with a knife.
Two Hells Angel Members Go On Trial Two Years After Nevada Casino Shootout
RENO, Nev. (Associated Press) Nearly two years after a gun battle between motorcycle gangs turned a Nevada casino floor into a shooting gallery, two rival gang members go on trial on murder charges in Reno Monday in the death of a high-ranking Hells Angels officer.
