Mon Valley video gambling ring arrests include McKeesport councilman, Forward police chief, ex-cops
September 5, 2013 10:34 am
By Jonathan D. Silver / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A McKeesport city councilman, a Frank Sinatra impersonator, the Forward police chief and two other former McKeesport police officers were charged this morning with being part of a large-scale video gambling ring operating in the Monongahela Valley.
Pennsylvania State Police charged 16 people with a variety of gambling offenses after a months-long grand jury investigation that involved wiretaps.
Most of the defendants were arraigned this morning before Forest Hills District Judge Thomas Caulfield and were released on non-monetary bond.
Among them were Forward police Chief Mark Holtzman, a onetime McKeesport deputy chief, and the suspected ringleader of the alleged video gambling ring, Ronald "Porky" Melocchi, of West Newton.
Me. Melocchi owns Back Alley Vending, a sole proprietorship that leases various arcade machines to bars and restaurants.
Attorney Bruce Carsia, who represents Mr. Melocchi, said he had not had time to read the complaint.
"I don't believe that Mr. Melocchi was running any kind of corrupt organization," Mr. Carsia said. "At the same time, I'm not saying he wasn't involved in gambling or poker machines."
Numerous other people charged today did not return calls seeking comment over the past several weeks as the investigation progressed.
Others, however, said they had been contacted by state agents and at least one anticipated charges being filed.
Still to be arraigned is McKeesport Councilman Daniel K. Carr, the owner of the Viking Lounge.
Also arraigned today were former McKeesport police Lt. Arthur Pero and ex-officer Ronald Prest.
The investigation, carried out by organized crime units of the state police and attorney general's office, was dubbed "Operation Pork Chop."
Jonathan D. Silver: jsilver@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1962.
First Published September 5, 2013 9:13 am
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 5, 2013 10:34 am
By Jonathan D. Silver / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A McKeesport city councilman, a Frank Sinatra impersonator, the Forward police chief and two other former McKeesport police officers were charged this morning with being part of a large-scale video gambling ring operating in the Monongahela Valley.
Pennsylvania State Police charged 16 people with a variety of gambling offenses after a months-long grand jury investigation that involved wiretaps.
Most of the defendants were arraigned this morning before Forest Hills District Judge Thomas Caulfield and were released on non-monetary bond.
Among them were Forward police Chief Mark Holtzman, a onetime McKeesport deputy chief, and the suspected ringleader of the alleged video gambling ring, Ronald "Porky" Melocchi, of West Newton.
Me. Melocchi owns Back Alley Vending, a sole proprietorship that leases various arcade machines to bars and restaurants.
Attorney Bruce Carsia, who represents Mr. Melocchi, said he had not had time to read the complaint.
"I don't believe that Mr. Melocchi was running any kind of corrupt organization," Mr. Carsia said. "At the same time, I'm not saying he wasn't involved in gambling or poker machines."
Numerous other people charged today did not return calls seeking comment over the past several weeks as the investigation progressed.
Others, however, said they had been contacted by state agents and at least one anticipated charges being filed.
Still to be arraigned is McKeesport Councilman Daniel K. Carr, the owner of the Viking Lounge.
Also arraigned today were former McKeesport police Lt. Arthur Pero and ex-officer Ronald Prest.
The investigation, carried out by organized crime units of the state police and attorney general's office, was dubbed "Operation Pork Chop."
Jonathan D. Silver: jsilver@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1962.
First Published September 5, 2013 9:13 am
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
