Sports betting operation run by 13 alleged New Jersey mobsters
On Tuesday, the FBI arrested 13 alleged members of the Genovese crime family. The bust involved the operation of an online sports betting enterprise that was raking in millions of dollars.
Among those arrested were an 80-year-old and his 72-year-old top lieutenant, accused of racketeering and conspiracy in relation to the sports betting venture.
The FBI agent in charge, Michael Ward, said: “The use of Internet gambling and off shore locales demonstrates an evolution and increased sophistication.”
The FBI have Joseph “Pepe” Lascala (80), head of a Genovese crew, and Pat “Uncle Patsy” Pirozzi (72) who was considered Lascala's “right hand man” in custody. They were the main leads in throughout this 4 year investigation.
Another of the arrested men, Joseph Graziano (75) was said to be the voice in a recorded conversation indicating that he 49 staff and could earn $2 million a year from his website in Costa Rica.
"....sometimes I put the money in the bushes, you know," he is alleged to have said. "You got money in the bag. ... I don't pay no [expletive] income tax. I mean, I wish I had done it all my life.”
According to official documentation, certain individuals were working with the FBI but it has not been confirmed as to how any of the recorded conversations were obtained.
Your feedback
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
