Crime
Ex-NFL Player Charged With Illegal Gambling Busted Twice in One Week With Drugs
Former NFL player Rache Caldwell has been arrested for trying to sell the drug Molly.
Police had been monitoring Caldwell’s movements following his arrest just days prior for attempting to sell Ecstasy on the street.
And earlier this year he was arrested for running an illegal gambling ring.
Borgata Faces New Lawsuit in Counterfeit Poker Chip Scandal
Six poker players filed suit against Atlantic City’s Borgata Casino this week over prize money not paid when a tournament was cancelled due to the discovery of counterfeit chips.
Crime Gangs Laundering $140 Billion a Year Through Sports Betting Sites
(Reuters) - Criminals are using betting on sports events to launder $140 billion each year, a report said on Thursday, exposing a lack of effective regulation that allows match-fixing to spread.
Soccer and cricket were identified as the sports most threatened by criminals seeking to rig the gambling market but tennis, basketball, motor racing and badminton were also affected, according to the report, which is based on a two-year research.
Joran Van Der Sloot to Marry in Prison, Become a Father
Dutchman Joran van der Sloot’s lawyer Maximo Altez confirmed that the convicted killer is set to marry while serving a 28-year prison sentence and he will become a father.
Van der Sloot was convicted of killing a 21-year-old female Peruvian student he met in a Lima casino in 2010. He had been visiting Peru to follow the Latin American Poker Tour.
Michael Sam Boyfriend Dated Gay Porn Star: League “In Bed With Mobsters”
As if having a boyfriend whose family allegedly had mob ties were not enough, now there are reports that Michael Sam’s beau was once intimately involved with a gay porn star named Austin Wilde.
Sam was named Southeastern Conference Champion of the Year in 2013. He's now the first openly gay NFL player.
‘Tsunami of Corruption’ is Heading for Aussie Sports Warns Match-Fixing Expert
Journalist and corruption in sport expert Declan Hill has warned of a “tsunami of corruption” about to hit Australian sport.
He uttered the dire warning while addressing the second Victoria Police Integrity in Sport Symposium in Melbourne.
"The match fixing linked to the Asian gambling networks have destroyed most Asian sports.
"The sports fans of Asia, the gambling people, the fixers of Asia are now going to turn their attention to Australia."
Man Who Beheaded Exotic Bird at Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas Gets Probation
A University of California, Berkley law school graduate has been sentenced to probation after beheading an exotic bird at a Las Vegas casino in 2012.
Justin Teixeira received the four years of following a prison boot camp program.
His sentence also includes 16 hours a month of unpaid work at an animal shelter.
Teixeira pleaded guilty to beheading a rare 14-year-old helmeted guinea fowl while at the Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat.
Alcohol was involved in the crime.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
Michael Sam’s Boyfriend From Mob Family: Grandfather Stuffed Bodies in Sewers
It was the kiss seen around the world that everyone was talking about Monday – Michael Sam selected to the St. Louis Rams, then engaging in a kiss with his boyfriend on national television upon learning of the news.
Sam is officially the first openly gay player in the NFL. There was some question as to whether he would be selected in this year’s NFL Draft and he nearly wasn’t. Sam was one of the last picks.
Australian Casino Magnate James Packer Receives A$500 Fine for Brawl
Crown Resorts Ltd. Chairman James Packer has been fined A$500 for a May 4 street brawl near Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The other man involved in the altercation, Nine Entertainment’s CEO David Gyngell has also been fined the same amount.
Bookmaker Stan James Could be Charged With Crime Over Defacing of Heritage Site
The popular British bookmaker Stan James was reported to authorities for stenciled graffiti advertising the betting firm was found on the Roman walls of Chester, a Heritage site that has existed since 40 AD.
The company added the graffiti ahead of this weekend’s Chester Horse Racing Festival. The Chester council has accused Stan James of a “Heritage Crime”.
Another Man Tied to Russian-Mob Connected Gambling Ring Sentenced
NEW YORK — (Associated Press) - A man who ran an illegal sports gambling operation with a Manhattan art gallery owner has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Illya Trincher was ordered to forfeit $6.4 million in illegal profits. The 28-year-old also ordered to six months of house arrest after completing his prison sentence.
The scheme catered to billionaires in New York and Hollywood.
Last week, his father, Adam Trincher, was sentenced to a five-year sentence in a related scheme.
The Manhattan dealer, Hillel Nahmad was sentenced to one year in prison.
Police Investigate Brawl Involving Australian Casino Magnate James Packer
(Reuters) - Police are investigating a public brawl between James Packer, one of Australia's richest men, and a television executive, which could jeopardise regional expansion plans for Packer's casino business if it leads to a criminal conviction.
The fight on Sunday between Crown Resorts Ltd Executive Chairman Packer and David Gyngell, chief executive of Nine Entertainment Group, left Packer with a black eye and a bruised reputation after photographs of the violence were published around the world.
NFL Great Joe Montana Contacted by FBI Over San Francisco Corruption Case
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday that former San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana has been contacted by the FBI in connection with a corruption sting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
