13 Mafia Associates Charged for Online Sports Betting


13 MAFIA-ASSOCIATED MEN INDICTED ON INTERNET SPORTS BETTING CHARGES.
 
New York AG's office used wiretapping in extensive investigation into Costa Rica-hosted website.
 
The New York Attorney General's office has announced the indictment in a Brooklyn court of 13 individuals aged between 46 and 76 on charges related to the operation of an illegal and allegedly Mafia-associated online sports betting enterprise through 4Spades.org, a website hosted in Costa Rica.
 
The office revealed that the indictment follows an extensive investigation and surveillance of the ring, which included the use of wire taps.
 
Investigators claim that the ring generated millions of dollars in US wagers  and extended to loan sharking. All thirteen defendants pleaded not guilty to the indictment before Judge Danny Chun.
 
The leader of the ring is believed to be Salvatore DeMeo, an individual who was already a fugitive from justice facing unrelated criminal charges. He was released on bail of $300,000 after his legal representative pleaded that he has a health problem.