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HIGH STAKES POKER PLAYERS TO PLEAD GUILTY ON INTERNET GAMBLING CHARGES (Update)

Source: bluffed.net


More fall-out from the Manhattan art galleries poker busts

The ripples from the enforcement bust of an allegedly organised crime-associated high stakes and celebrity poker ring based in an upmarket art gallery in Manhattan in April this year (see previous reports) continue to widen, with two high stakes professionals reportedly due to plead guilty on September 4 to reduced charges.

The latest defendants among the 34 arrested to plead guilty are Edwin Ting (41) and Justin "BoostedJ" Smith (25), who the New York Daily News reports will acknowledge guilt on illegal internet gambling business charges in an enterprise that was allegedly associated with a Russian organised crime enterprise.

The extensive federal indictment detailing the illegal activity covers both poker and sports betting, with funds from Russia laundered through the United States and Cyprus.

A section of the indictment unsealed in April claims:

"The organization ran a high-stakes illegal gambling business that catered primarily to multi-millionaire and billionaire clients. The organization utilized several online gambling websites that operated illegally in the USA Debts owed to the Nahmad-Trincher Organization sometimes reached hundreds of thousands of dollars and even millions. One client'EURŠ surrendered his plumbing company to the organization as payment of the debt."

Allegedly, more than $100 million was laundered.

View the Department of Justice press release here: fbi/newyork/press-releases/2013/manhattan-u.s.-attorney-charges-34-members-and-associates-of-two-russian-american-organized-crime-enterprises-with-operating-international-sportsbooks-that-laundered-more-than-100-million

Related News Tags: Crime, Russia, USA, Cyprus