[clevfan]

'Operation Delco Nostra' targets gambling operation; 13 busted

By the Times Staff 07/22/2008

A six-year-long investigation of illegal gambling operations in Delaware County resulted in charges being filed against 13 people in what is being dubbed "Operation Delco Nostra" by state police.

Troopers held a press conference Tuesday morning to detail the charges involved in the multi-million dollar betting ring with ties to organized crime. The gambling operation is alleged to have cleared as much as generated more than $1 million a month, and was centered in Delaware County and Philadelphia, according to state police and the attorney general's office.


Officials say the probe, "Operation Delco Nostra," began taking shape in February 2002, when a man arrested on bookmaking charges in Montgomery County began cooperating with state police and the FBI.
A grand jury heard testimony and received evidence for a year, from April 2007 until April 2008.

Officials say the operation involved an illegal casino in Folsom, where poker games and other gambling activity such as illegal betting on horse racing occurred.

Authorities filed charges including bookmaking, loansharking, fencing and drug violations against a series of people, most of whom turned themselves in at Lima District court.

Police allege the operation was headed by Nicholas Cimino, also known as "Nicky the Hat." He's a South Philadelphia native who now lives in Wallingford. Cimino and his girlfriend both turned themselves in yesterday.

State police said that to get an idea of the size and scope of the ring, the suspects handled more than $220,000 in bets in just a one-week period from Dec. 23-29, 2004.

Information on the ring was developed through an investigating grand jury and involved wiretaps, surveillance and informers.

Many of those charged Tuesday are alleged to have ties to organized crime.