12 arrested in New York sports betting ring

14 November 2008

QUEENS, New York -- As reported by Newsday: "Twelve men from Long Island and Queens have been arrested in a sports betting ring that prosecutors say took in more than $30 million during the past five years.

"Detectives made the arrests early Monday morning as they raided the ring's College Point 'wire room.'

"'It never ceases to amaze me the extent to which people will go to avoid an honest day's work,' Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said at a news conference. 'In addition to breaking the law, gambling rings cheat the tax system and skirt the rules we are all forced to live by.'

"...All 12 face up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if they are convicted of first-degree promoting gambling.

"Search warrants executed Monday resulted in the seizure of about $50,000 in cash, gambling records, gambling equipment and four vehicles, prosecutors said..."