Man denies role in gambling ring
Syracuse resident pleads not guilty
By ROBERT GAVIN, Staff writer
First published: Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Times Union
George Bedigian of Syracuse, a quadriplegic who has some two dozen prior gambling-related arrests, appeared before County Judge Stephen Herrick, quietly answering questions from his wheelchair in a sparsely attended court proceeding.
Bedigian pleaded not guilty to the 25 counts of the indictment, which include charges of first-degree gambling promotion, possession of gambling records and conspiracy between September 2006 and April 2008.
The silver-haired Bedigian, who has been disabled for 42 years, told the judge his last employment was in the vending industry.
He has been described by authorities as the gambling kingpin of central New York -- despite never spending a day in prison.
Following his arraignment, Bedigian was allowed to remain free on $100,000 bail.
In April, Bedigian was identified as the reputed ringleader of what Albany County prosecutors dubbed the "Bedigian-Carucci Bookmaking Operation."
Authorities said the operation used a Web site in Costa Rica to solicit bets and maintain records. They said it was operated locally out of the Veteran Friendship social club on Route 9 in Latham. The investigators said Bedigian ran the ring alongside Joseph "Oink" Carucci of Latham.
They were among 13 people charged in the reputed ring, which police said took bets on college and pro basketball, football, NASCAR races and Ultimate Fighting Championship competition.
While Bedigian had been charged with enterprise corruption, the state version of the federal racketeering law, that is not part of the present indictment.
Bedigian, represented by attorney William Dreyer, declined comment.  |