24 plead not guilty in sports gambling case

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24 plead not guilty in sports gambling case

Published: Monday, June 16, 2008
Press of Atlantic City


2:50 p.m. Update - The alleged leaders of a multi-million-dollar sports betting ring that operated out of a poker room at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa were among 24 people who pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday.

Attorney General Anne Milgram said the ring operated for 20 months, taking in $60 million in bets. Authorities say the casino itself was not involved.


The ring was busted in november when a multi-agency investigation dubbed Operation High Roller led to the arrests. The indictment charges the alleged leaders with racketeering, conspiracy, and money laundering, as well as third-degree promotion of gambling.

[clevfan]

Indictments in poker room sports bet case

[clevfan]

Tue, Jun. 17, 2008

Bookmaking defendants plead not guilty

By George Anastasia
Philly Inquirer Staff Writer

All 24 defendants charged in what authorities allege was a multimillion-dollar, mob-connected bookmaking operation run out of one of Atlantic City's fanciest casinos pleaded not guilty yesterday during a brief hearing in Atlantic County Superior Court.

The defendants, many of whom appeared tanned and relaxed, seemed to take heart in Judge Michael Donio's characterization of the case as an "alleged crime of greed" that could result in fines rather than jail time.

Donio, a no-nonsense judge with a reputation for tough sentencing, said he wanted to deal with the case expeditiously and not turn it into a "dog-and-pony show."

Unlike cases involving charges of rape or murder, Donio said, he might not be compelled to remove the defendants from society. Rather, he said, the case may simply involve taking back the money.

In a sweeping racketeering indictment, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office has alleged that a $60 million illegal sports-betting operation was run out of the poker lounge of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.

The case also includes charges of loan-sharking and money-laundering.

The charges stem from a 20-month investigation conducted by the New Jersey State Police that was built around video surveillance, secretly recorded phone conversations, and information provided by cooperating witnesses and informants.

The indictment alleges that the gambling operation was run by Jack Buscemi, described in an affidavit as one of the biggest bookmakers in the Philadelphia area.

Buscemi, 50, of Mullica Hill, has scoffed at that characterization, but on the advice of his attorney has declined to discuss the case.

Authorities allege that Andrew Micali, 32, of Ventnor, was Buscemi's partner and the day-to-day operator of the gambling network.

Micali, authorities allege, worked out of the poker lounge of the Borgata, taking bets and "settling up" with customers. Wiretapped conversations and video surveillance tracked some collections and payouts, authorities allege.

Micali and Buscemi, investigators say, reported to Anthony Nicodemo, 36, a reputed member of the Philadelphia organized crime family.

In an affidavit that is part of the case, Nicodemo was identified as a "soldier" who reported to alleged South Philadelphia mob boss Joseph Ligambi.

Nicodemo was also identified as the prime suspect in the murder of John "Johnny Gongs" Casasanto in November 2003. No one has been charged in that killing.

Casasanto's younger brother, Steven, 37, is one of the 21 other defendants in the gambling case.

In pretrial motions that will be heard this summer, defense attorneys are expected to argue that the prosecution has overstated its case by alleging racketeering. Privately, several have said that the case of a simple bookmaking operation has been overblown because of alleged mob ties and the fact that it was run out of a casino.

Authorities have emphasized that the Borgata had nothing to do with the illegal bookmaking operation and has cooperated fully with investigators.

[clevfan]

24 plead not guilty in Borgata sports-betting ring


Published: Tuesday, June 17, 2008
PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY

MAYS LANDING - The 24 men and women charged with taking part in a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa - including the alleged ringleaders - pleaded not guilty to the charges against them at a crowded arraignment hearing Monday.

The ring, which authorities say operated out of a poker room at Borgata for 20 months, was busted in November when a multi-agency investigation, dubbed Operation High Roller, led to the arrests. State Attorney General Anne Milgram previously said the ring took in $60 million in bets, but the casino itself was not involved.

The indictment handed down in April charges the alleged leaders - Jack Buscemi Jr., 50, of Harrison Township, Gloucester County; Andrew Micali, 32, of Ventnor; and Anthony Nicodemo, 36, of Philadelphia - with racketeering, conspiracy and money laundering, as well as third-degree promotion of gambling.

Micali allegedly controlled the day-to-day operations, while Nicodemo allegedly exercised leadership over the ring. Buscemi was allegedly the boss of the gambling ring.

On Monday afternoon, the defendants were seated in several rows in Superior Court Judge Michael Donio's courtroom as their 24 defense attorneys entered the not-guilty pleas in unison to move the matter along more quickly. A sheriff's officer took attendance before the hearing to ensure everyone was present.

Thirteen other alleged operators and agents of the ring were indicted on those same four charges, including Vincent Procopio, 42, of Philadelphia, who allegedly acted as Micali's right-hand man, and two casino poker room supervisors alleged to have been agents who brought in gamblers and bets for the ring.

: Joseph Wishnick, 43, of Brigantine, a former Borgata poker room supervisor, and Jeffrey Ebert, 45, of Ventnor, a former Tropicana poker room supervisor. Eight additional defendants are named in certain counts of the indictment.

The ring took in illegal wagers on sporting events using password-protected Web sites and a Philadelphia wire room where bets were taken by phone, authorities said.

The investigation, which began in March 2006, revealed that Micali relied on a network of agents to take in millions of dollars in bets on college and professional football and basketball. Micali and Buscemi allegedly received a percentage of the gambling proceeds collected by the agents.

Deputy Attorney General Kerry DiJoseph represented the Division of Criminal Justice Major Crimes Bureau, Casino Prosecutions Unit.

Donio asked DiJoseph on Monday to prepare a letter for him in three weeks listing the defendants and their charges. He asked the 24 defense attorneys to also prepare individual letters, stating who the attorney represents, what the charges are and what motions the attorney has filed or plans to file.

Defense attorney Carl Poplar, who represents defendant Robert Mackie, 39, of Staten Island, N.Y., expressed concern about drafting such a letter, telling the judge it could be "problematic."

Donio repeated his time frame: Three weeks.

"How am I going to determine who's on first and who's on second?" Donio said, referring to the possible confusion with so many defendants. "(The letter) is for me. I'm not sharing it with anyone else. It's to assist me, in lieu of going through a box (of discovery)."

"I want to resolve these things in an expeditious manner," Donio said.

After entering pleas for their clients, the attorneys met in the empty courtroom next door, where they organized themselves into committees to tackle major motions together. The effort was made to avoid duplicating motions and creating unnecessary extra work.

"I don't want to read 24 motions that say the same thing," Donio said.

Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of as many as 10 years in state prison, while third-degree crimes, such as promoting gambling, carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

On Monday, Donio gave the attorneys and defendants an idea of how he views the offenses.

"These are alleged crimes of greed," Donio said. "I don't equate these (defendants) with people who sexually assault kids."

Third-degree gambling charges don't necessarily warrant jail time, he added - although a second-degree crime, like racketeering, does.

"These charges involve money," Donio said. "So, we'll talk money."

Defense attorneys expressed a similar view.

"Our view of this case is it is a gambling case and nothing more," said attorney James Leonard Jr., who is representing Nicodemo. "People that promote gambling do not belong in jail. I don't think any one of these defendants belongs in jail."

"I think the judge's comments are indicative of what you see," said attorney Lou Barbone, who is representing Micali.

DiJoseph said there is now supplemental discovery available for the attorneys to review, including videotape, transcripts of intercepted recordings and call logs.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in court again at 1:30 p.m. July 7 for a status conference.


Others charged in the indictment are:

Ian Blackman, 28, of Mays Landing: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, promoting gambling and criminal usury

Matthew Zambanini, 28, of Hockessin, Del.: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Robert Mackie, 39, of Staten Island, N.Y.: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Frank Baldino, 21, of Philadelphia: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Nicholas Caltibiano, 25, of Brigantine: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, and promoting gambling

Joseph Baldino Jr., 23, of Philadelphia: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

John Findaly, 31, of Philadelphia: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Bernard Malseed, 64, of Philadelphia: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Vincent Borgesi, 40, of Philadelphia: Promoting gambling

Russell Brown, 44, of Egg Harbor Township: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, and promoting gambling

Douglas Rubino, 30, of Philadelphia: Racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Michael Connelly, 59, of Parkville, Md.: Conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Stephen Cassansanto, 37, of Philadelphia: Conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

William DePena, 40, of Philadelphia: Conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Dominic Grande, 28, of Philadelphia: Conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Marianne Micali, 63, of Philadelphia: Conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Annie Grajales Ospina, 25, of Egg Harbor Township: Conspiracy, money laundering and promoting gambling

Mark Galasso, 24, of Philadelphia: Money laundering