More Arrests BetCRIS??
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18312565/
By Christian Richardson, Tribune
East Valley Tribune
April 25
Four men who authorities are calling the leaders of Internet-based sports gambling rings are behind bars following a series of arrests and seizures made Tuesday morning across the Valley. The two-year undercover investigation into the four separate gambling rings took authorities to Costa Rica, Las Vegas, and New York.
It all began when deputies got wind of gambling in Ahwatukee Foothills, said Maricopa County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Bill Knight.
The operation led authorities to dig into four rings that worked through East Valley and Phoenix bars, restaurants and casinos and led to the arrests of dozens of men and women from across the Valley - including Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe.
The bust is expected to lead to seizures in $145 million in bank accounts, cars and homes, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said as he stood alongside a row of gleaming vehicles - BMWs, Bentleys, Cadillacs, Lexus, Mercedes and even a Rolls Royce. Authorities already have taken $2 million in cash.
The criminals utilized money laundering, conspiracy, and extortion, and made violent threats in their operations that Arpaio said intelligence tells them is linked to East Coast crime families. "Everybody thinks the traditional mafia is dead," Arpaio said. "It's not dead, especially when it comes to gambling and prostitution."
Sheriff's Office charts show the gambling circuits broken down into organizations connecting several people, including Ralph S. DiPiero, 77, of Scottsdale; Lloyd D. Melton, 65, of Phoenix; Eugene J. Valenti, 38, of Phoenix; and Steven G. Pokrass, 53, of Phoenix. Those men, considered the "Big Four," were booked during the Tuesday bust.
Anthony Burgi, who was considered another key figure, died March 27 in a car wreck on Riggs Road near Gilbert. The 36-year-old was an attorney in Arizona. Authorities said his Dodge Viper went off the road and slammed into the back of an 18-wheel dump truck bed.
The sheriff's office is accusing Valenti of running the Web sites
www.betcris.com and
www.bigonsports.com; Melton is accused of operating
www.tradewinds.com.cr/trdwd.com; Pokrass is accused of running
www.allsportsnow.com; and DiPiero is accused of running
www.vipsportswagers.com. Some of the Web sites have been taken off-line.
Knight said the investigators found gamblers would walk into businesses and set up an account, then use the Internet or telephone to place their bets. The illegal element came as the gamblers would then exchange money in those bars, restaurants, and casinos.
The businesses linked to the circuits included Jilly's American Grill, 825 N. 54th St.; Zipp's Sports Grill, 3950 W. Ray Road; and Teakwoods Tavern & Grille, 5965 W. Ray Road - all in Chandler. Also linked were two Tempe establishments: Skip & Jan's Sports Bar, 7700 S. Priest Drive, and John Henry's, 909 E. Elliot Road.
In Scottsdale, the rings involved Casino Arizona at 524 N. 92nd St., and at Talking Stick, 9700 E. Indian Bend Road, the sheriff's office said.
Authorities said it appears managers at the locations knew about the gambling. Knight said they are still investigating. None of the businesses have been shut down.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, 200 deputies and volunteer posse members went armed with warrants for people in the Phoenix area, as well as Los Angeles and Las Vegas. They arrested 31.
Knight said those arrested could face charges related to conducting a criminal enterprise, money laundering and extortion.
The Arizona Attorney General's Office is working with the sheriff's office on the case. No formal charges have yet been made.
Arpaio said deputies will now go after 200 to 300 men and women who were placing bets. Those people could face misdemeanor charges.
"This is not over yet," Arpaio said. "This could become even larger."
