Ex-Flyers star Tocchet guilty in sports bet ring
By George Anastasia
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Former Philadelphia Flyers star Rick Tocchet today pleaded guilty to charges of promoting gambling and conspiracy in a plea bargain that may allow him to avoid prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting ring.
All other charges against Tocchet, 43, including money laundering, were dropped during a hearing this morning in state Superior Court in Mount Holly, Burlington County.
Maximum punishment for each of the two counts is five years imprisonment. The plea agreement mentions the presumption of "non-incarceration" because Tocchet has no prior criminal record. Sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 17.
Tocchet, wearing a blue business suit, white shirt and blue tie, answered "No, Your Honor," to a series of questions about his guilty plea posed by the judge.
Under questioning by his lawyer, Kevin Marino, the ex-hockey star admitted he was a partner in an illegal gambling operation with a man he knew was a state trooper and that he knew it was wrong.
"Did you ever place any bets on professional hockey?" the lawyer asked.
"No," answered Tocchet.
Authorities charged the former right winger, a fan favorite during his two stints with the Flyers, in February 2006 with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy after a months-long state police investigation called "Operation Slapshot."
Ever since, he had been on leave from his job with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he was assistant coach under NHL great Wayne Gretzky.
Authorities alleged that Tocchet played a central role in a national bookmaking operation that they said had accepted wagers on college and professional football and basketball games and catered to clients in professional hockey and Hollywood circles.
Sources have said bettors included Gretzky's wife, Janet Jones, and former Flyer Jeremy Roenick.
Investigators said Tocchet had partnered with State Trooper James Harney of Marlton, who accepted wagers, sometimes as he patrolled the New Jersey Turnpike. Adding to the initial frenzy surrounding the case, authorities suggested that the star-studded operation also had ties - as yet unsubstantiated - to the mob.
Tocchet's attorney had maintained that the charges are absurd, saying as recently as December that his client would be exonerated.
The state, meanwhile, continued to work on its case against Tocchet - with the help of his alleged coconspirators.
Harney and James Ulmer, a Swedesboro man, pleaded guilty late last year in the case and agreed to cooperate with the state investigation in return for lighter punishments.
Harney told a judge that he and Tocchet had been equal partners in the gambling ring, saying that both had taken bets and that Tocchet had covered losses. Harney, who has resigned from the state police, faces up to seven years in prison instead of the more than 20 years he would have faced had he gone to trial.
Ulmer, who admitted he was a low-level bookie and pleaded guilty to third-degree charges of conspiracy and promoting gambling, faces up to 10 years in prison. But prosecutors have said they will recommend six months to a year in a county jail.
The pair have yet to be sentenced.
State police said Harney and Tocchet had met years ago, when Tocchet was a Flyer and Harney a bartender in a popular bar near the sports complex in South Philadelphia. Tocchet played for the Flyers from 1984-92 and from 1999-2002.
State police said the friends had started the gambling operation about five years ago and built it into a multimillion-dollar venture. In 40 days just before the arrests, authorities said, the ring processed $1.7 million in bets.
Authorities have said no bettors will be charged in the case.
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By George Anastasia
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Former Philadelphia Flyers star Rick Tocchet today pleaded guilty to charges of promoting gambling and conspiracy in a plea bargain that may allow him to avoid prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting ring.
All other charges against Tocchet, 43, including money laundering, were dropped during a hearing this morning in state Superior Court in Mount Holly, Burlington County.
Maximum punishment for each of the two counts is five years imprisonment. The plea agreement mentions the presumption of "non-incarceration" because Tocchet has no prior criminal record. Sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 17.
Tocchet, wearing a blue business suit, white shirt and blue tie, answered "No, Your Honor," to a series of questions about his guilty plea posed by the judge.
Under questioning by his lawyer, Kevin Marino, the ex-hockey star admitted he was a partner in an illegal gambling operation with a man he knew was a state trooper and that he knew it was wrong.
"Did you ever place any bets on professional hockey?" the lawyer asked.
"No," answered Tocchet.
Authorities charged the former right winger, a fan favorite during his two stints with the Flyers, in February 2006 with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy after a months-long state police investigation called "Operation Slapshot."
Ever since, he had been on leave from his job with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he was assistant coach under NHL great Wayne Gretzky.
Authorities alleged that Tocchet played a central role in a national bookmaking operation that they said had accepted wagers on college and professional football and basketball games and catered to clients in professional hockey and Hollywood circles.
Sources have said bettors included Gretzky's wife, Janet Jones, and former Flyer Jeremy Roenick.
Investigators said Tocchet had partnered with State Trooper James Harney of Marlton, who accepted wagers, sometimes as he patrolled the New Jersey Turnpike. Adding to the initial frenzy surrounding the case, authorities suggested that the star-studded operation also had ties - as yet unsubstantiated - to the mob.
Tocchet's attorney had maintained that the charges are absurd, saying as recently as December that his client would be exonerated.
The state, meanwhile, continued to work on its case against Tocchet - with the help of his alleged coconspirators.
Harney and James Ulmer, a Swedesboro man, pleaded guilty late last year in the case and agreed to cooperate with the state investigation in return for lighter punishments.
Harney told a judge that he and Tocchet had been equal partners in the gambling ring, saying that both had taken bets and that Tocchet had covered losses. Harney, who has resigned from the state police, faces up to seven years in prison instead of the more than 20 years he would have faced had he gone to trial.
Ulmer, who admitted he was a low-level bookie and pleaded guilty to third-degree charges of conspiracy and promoting gambling, faces up to 10 years in prison. But prosecutors have said they will recommend six months to a year in a county jail.
The pair have yet to be sentenced.
State police said Harney and Tocchet had met years ago, when Tocchet was a Flyer and Harney a bartender in a popular bar near the sports complex in South Philadelphia. Tocchet played for the Flyers from 1984-92 and from 1999-2002.
State police said the friends had started the gambling operation about five years ago and built it into a multimillion-dollar venture. In 40 days just before the arrests, authorities said, the ring processed $1.7 million in bets.
Authorities have said no bettors will be charged in the case.
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