County worker suspended as a result of 'Delco Nostra'
By: Cindy Scharr,
delcotimes.com 07/23/2008
An employee of the Delaware County Domestic Relations Department was suspended from his post one day after he was arrested for his alleged involvement in a bookmaking and loan-shark organization reputedly linked to the Philadelphia mob.
Daniel Jude Diedrich, of Clifton Heights, was among 16 others rounded up Tuesday as a result of the state police probe dubbed "Operation Delco Nostra."
The alleged leader of the lucrative gambling, bookmaking and loan-sharking organization, Nicholas Cimino of Wallingford, employed Diedrich to accept sports wagers, collect money from bettors' losses and to pay bettors for winning bets, according to charging documents.
On Wednesday, the day after the 34-year-old financial supervisor's arrest, he was suspended from his county job.
Diedrich was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal charges, according to Delaware County Legal AudioVisual Director John LaRosa. He had been employed by the county since March 1999.
According to the statewide grand jury presentment made public on Tuesday, Diedrich worked for Cimino from 2002 through February 2008, while at the same time collecting a county paycheck.
According to the findings of the grand jury, undercover troopers placed sports wagers with Cimino's organization through Diedrich and others. The bets, which ranged from $50 to $300, involved primarily professional and college football games.
Diedrich was also identified by grand jury witnesses as having worked at Cimino's alleged illegal casino on MacDade Boulevard in Ridley Township.
It is unknown if Diedrich has an attorney. He could not be reached for comment.
Diedrich is charged with bookmaking, gambling, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities.
He is free on bail pending a preliminary hearing in Lima District Court.  |