George Zappola, Joseph Perna and John Perna pleaded guilty in New Jersey on 25 June to racketeering charges linked to an alleged gambling enterprise, prosecutors said. Each faces a recommended seven-year state prison term under the plea agreements; sentencing has not been scheduled.
The pleas advance a New Jersey prosecution tied to an alleged gambling operation and money laundering.
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Twenty-two defendants in the Indiana case known as Operation Porterhouse Parlay pleaded not guilty to all charges, prosecutors said. The indictment alleges illegal gambling, conspiracy and extortion linked to a nationwide sports betting operation that ran from early 2021 through spring 2023. Prosecutors have not ruled out further charges.
Former Prospect Park councilman Anand Shah pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering and official misconduct tied to an illegal gambling operation across three New Jersey counties. Prosecutors recommended a 10-year prison sentence; the source says Shah was barred from holding public office and had resigned the previous Friday.
Federal prosecutors are seeking to keep Alexander Gagianas in custody in an investigation into an alleged gambling network around Chicago. They allege that Gagianas collected gambling debts and that messages with James Gerodemos referred to violence; neither man has been charged with homicide. Prosecutors also argue that Gagianas could threaten witnesses or flee.
Las Vegas gambler ‘Wild Bill’ Roberts faces an indictment after allegedly accepting $69,000 in wagers following his arrest. Prosecutors said on 30 September that he continued accepting bets, including from an undercover investigator.
Prosecutors announced on Wednesday, Sept. 30, that a grand jury indictment had been unsealed against William "Wild Bill" Roberts, the Las Vegas gambler. The charges include running a gaming establishment without a license, taking compensation for accepting wagers unlawfully, attempted money laundering, and accepting unlawful wagers. Roberts rejects the claim that he ran an illegal sportsbook, saying he is a gambler, not a bookmaker.
Nevada authorities charged former DraftKings trader Samuel Silverman over an alleged scheme involving bets on Fresno State basketball, according to the report. The bets related to a 7 January 2025 game; three prop bets worth $2,200 reportedly returned $15,950. Silverman pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer said the defence would rely on evidence.