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Fact-checked by Stoyan Todorov
Mafiosi Plead Guilty to Multiple Charges in NY Illegal Betting Scheme
Five members of a Mafia-like outfit have pled guilty to multiple charges raised against them directly for their involvement in an illegal betting operation

The Eastern District of New York saw five members of a Mafia-style organization plead guilty to multiple charges involving but not limited to racketeering, money laundering and gambling. The charges were tied to an illegal betting operation that was run in New York City and offered alternate betting markets to the legally available ones under state licensure.
Plot of Mafia Case of Sprawling Illegal Bookmaker Thickens
Specifically, prosecutors have named the Lucchese family, whose members and associates are standing trial and admitted to having orchestrated the gambling enterprise. The estimated profits amount to millions of dollars, a glimpse of which has been outlined in court documents and media reporting.
Detailing the case, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York John Durham explained how the outfit had worked, and offered praise for law enforcement. Durham said that although the operation was a well-orchestrated one, the hard work of investigators and prosecutors eventually made it so that the criminals were brought to a reckoning.
“However, the defendants’ luck ran out and, thanks to the hard work of the team of prosecutors and investigators, they will be held accountable for their crimes and pay their debt to society,” Durham explained.
Anthony Villani, a consigliere of the family and mastermind of the enterprise, will forfeit $4 million in illegal gains from the operation. Villani is specifically tied to the Rhino Sports online bookmaker which was backed by the “famiglia,” and other crime families in the city.
Sixth Suspect Still at Large as More People Plead Guilty
At least $1 million was generated every year with anything between 400 to 1,300 people betting on the illegal operation in the Bronx every week. Investigators are looking for a sixth defendant, whereas Villani is the latest to be named and plead guilty in the saga, and he may face up to 20 years if convicted.
The case also saw the involvement of FBI assistant director in charge James E. Dennehy who referred to the Mafia establishment in New York and said that although the so-called Five Families did not make headlines the same way as before, they were still very much operating their illicit business.
“However, the men pleading guilty in this case illustrate how entrenched the traditional mafia are in their noxious and familiar criminality. They are less flashy these days – and a lot of that is due to the incredible cunning and tenacity agents and investigators on our FBI New York Westchester Organized Crime Task Force use to pursue members of these organizations,” Dennehy said.
As to Villani, he has been running the illegal business, and other various gambling operations, across the Bronx and Westchester, New York since 2004. These businesses have been tied to a number of organized crime families, an official statement by the US Department of Justice read.
Although Fiona doesn't have a long-spanning background within the gambling industry, she is an incredibly skilled journalist who has built a strong interest in the constantly growing iGaming network. The team at Gambling News is glad to have her on our roster to help deliver the best stories as soon as they hit. Aside from writing, she loves to dabble in online casino games such as slots and roulette, both for her own enjoyment and also as research to better improve her understanding of the industry.
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