Police break New York gambling ring

[AussieVamp2]

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (AP) - Seven men were arrested for their
participation in a sports betting operation that took in an
estimated $1 million a year.

During a six-month investigation that included the NCAA's
"March Madness" championship basketball tournament, authorities
said they listened in with court-sanctioned wiretaps as bettors
phoned in wagers to a Rotterdam house.

The operation took in $10,000 to $25,000 in bets a day on sports
bets from Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, according to
State Police.

Raymond F. Callanan, 40, of Guilderland and Douglas M. Horton,
42, of Niskayuna are each charged with three counts of first-degree
promoting gambling and a misdemeanor charge of fifth-degree
conspiracy.

Michael A. Willig, 45, Mark France, 40, and James D. Reynolds,
52, all allegedly worked at the house answering telephones and
taking bets.

France is charged with two felony counts of promoting gambling
and fifth-degree conspiracy; Willig is charged with one promoting
charge and one fifth-degree conspiracy count; and Reynolds faces
two felony promoting charges, one felony count of possession of
gambling records and fifth-degree conspiracy.

During the April 1 raid, police obtained more than $150,000 in
gambling records and $50,000 in cash.

Also charged were Michael M. Ruggiero, 40, of Gansevoort and
Wayne M. Collins, 49, of Scotia with promoting gambling and
conspiracy.

Collins was given an appearance ticket for Scotia Village Court
June 22. The rest of the men were given tickets to appear in
Rotterdam Town Court June 22. More arrests are possible, police
said.

[Ronbets]

AV2, thanks for this article.

This is a prime example of the police fattening their batting averages against cream puff opponents. Imagine a 6 month investigation for these lightweights? God, you d think nuclear secrets were involved. I m starting to get the idea why NY state is one of the most taxed states in the union.

[Scott Landau]

I feel safer already!...Actually, this stuff is happening everywhere, and sometimes it is the PLAYER's door that gets kicked in!

[Ronbets]

Scott,

If it involved anything other than telephones, their apprehension rate would be below the Mendoza Line. Trap lines, floating taps, high frequency receivers for cell intercept, on and on.