Gambling accusations against Tocchet get stronger

[IE]

August 3, 2006

NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) - The odds against Rick Tocchet just got a bit larger.

James Harney, a former New Jersey State Trooper accused of being part of an illegal gambling ring that allegedly included Tocchet, on Thursday pleaded guilty to several charges in Burlington County Superior Court as part of an agreement to assist authorities in their case against the former NHL star.

Harney, who resigned after eight years as a State Trooper on Wednesday, faces a maximum of seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct. Had he not reached a plea agreement, the 40-year-old could have been given a sentence of more than 25 years if found guilty. While in court, Harney gave damaging answers to questions from his attorney, Craig Mitnick, regarding Tocchet's involvement in "Operation Slap Shot," the state police investigation that uncovered information that the two - along with James Ulmer of Swedesboro, New Jersey - were involved in a bookmaking ring that in a 40-day period processed more than 1,000 wagers exceeding $1.7 million on professional and collegiate sporting events.

According to KYW Newsradio 1060 of Philadelphia, Harney admitted to evenly splitting profits from the gambling operation with Tocchet. The Marlton, New Jersey resident also claimed Tocchet provided the bankroll for the ring.

Attorney Kevin H. Marino issued a statement Thursday regarding Harney's plea bargain.

"Harney, who resigned from the state police earlier this week, did not make his accusation as a law enforcement officer. He is not a concerned citizen acting out of a sense of civic duty. Rather, the former Trooper is an interested party who has implicated Rick Tocchet as part of a bargain with the prosecution.

"Under that bargain, the Attorney General's Office agreed to drop the most serious charges against Harney, charges that could have subjected him to consecutive state prison terms and kept him behind bars for many years. The AG's Office also agreed to advise the sentencing judge of Harney's cooperation against Tocchet and to permit Harney to argue for 'any legal sentence,' including probation. To hold up his end of the bargain, Harney must help legitimize 'Operation Slap Shot.'"

Marino also maintained Tocchet's innocence in the gambling operation.

"Tocchet, who has been on an unpaid leave of absence since 'Operation Slap Shot' was announced nearly six months ago, remains hopeful that the Attorney General will elect not to seek his indictment. If an indictment is returned, however, Tocchet will vigorously contest any charges brought against him."

Tocchet, an associate coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, was served a complaint summons for his involvement in the gambling ring by the state police in February. The 41-year-old, who requested and received a leave of absence from his coaching duties with the Phoenix Coyotes after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on February 8, was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.

Harney was charged with official misconduct, promoting gambling and money laundering, while Ulmer, 40, was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy for serving as a "sitter" who funneled wagers to Harney.

Tocchet was identified as Harney's alleged partner and financier for the operation, which "included past and present professional athletes and celebrities who are being interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation," the police report said.

Police said the investigation also has revealed alleged ties to the Bruno-Scarfo crime family, which operates in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.

Actress Janet Jones, the wife of Phoenix coach and Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, and at least six unnamed current NHL players also are suspected of being involved in the gambling scandal.

A sixth-round pick by Philadelphia in 1983, Tocchet collected 440 goals and 512 assists during an 18-year career with the Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals and Coyotes. He last played with the Flyers during the 2001-02 season, recording two assists in 14 games.

 

[Terryray]

Gambling is everywhere. I've met a lot of (NHL) players and they gamble on everything

Gambling is everywhere. I've met a lot of (NHL) players and they gamble on everything

NHL gambling with game's integrity

Aug. 5, 2006. 01:00 AM

DAVE FESCHUK of Toronto Star

Here's the hypothetical scenario: A rich hockey player with a gambling itch spends this summer losing a pile of cash laying bets on, say, the Blue Jays. When September rolls around, he owes a bookmaker $500,000. The bookmaker calls to collect.

The player might have the means to write a cheque, but then his wife and agent might find out it wasn't just J.P. Ricciardi who threw big cake at A.J. Burnett's untapped potential.

And so, it's probable that the player could work his way out of the hole with another currency, namely the information and influence he has as an athlete. Surely the bookmaker would be happy to be tipped off when a backup goaltender is expected to get a start. The player would also have valuable insight into the closely guarded physical conditions of injured teammates.

And, of course, the player could wield his own wand: If a bookie knows a key skater is intending on spending a couple of games floating, the bookie has an edge. A bookie armed with an edge is a wealthy bookie. A player beholden to his gambling problem is a game's integrity in tatters.

The scenario is hypothetical, but not implausible. At least that's the message college and pro athletes get from Michael Franzese, the former member of the New York mafia who once made millions running illegal gambling operations and who these days ? years after leaving the mob and spending nearly a decade in prison ? writes books and counsels athletes on the evils of laying money.

"Gambling is everywhere. I've met a lot of (NHL) players and they gamble on everything. They're gambling like crazy," said Franzese in an interview a few years back.

"To me, it's just an extension of their competitive nature.

"(How) many of these guys do take some serious losses throughout the season? I think there's a number that do. More than you'll ever hear about."

We're recycling Franzese's message because there's a chance we'll be hearing about the wagering habits of the rich and famous in the coming days.

On Thursday, James Harney, the former New Jersey state trooper accused of running an illegal bookmaking business with former NHLer Rick Tocchet, pled guilty and struck a plea agreement with authorities to help them with their case.

Speaking in a New Jersey courtroom, Harney was explicit about an alleged partnership with Toccet ? who is on indefinite leave as Wayne Gretzky's assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes ? that took in $1.7 million (U.S.) in a 40-day period around the Super Bowl.

"We were 50-50," Harney said.

"(Tocchet) was part of the house."

Yesterday, the New Jersey attorney general's office said a grand jury hearing on Tocchet's case to determine whether or not the Toronto native will face a trial on the charges is to convene "in the very near future."

The state's attorney general said in March that Gretzky's wife, Janet, who is alleged to have placed bets with the ring, will be subpoenaed to testify.

The NHL's internal investigation into the matter, run by former U.S. federal attorney Robert Cleary, is ongoing, although an employee of Cleary's New York law office said he is on vacation until month's end.

Whether or not the investigation unearths anything untoward, the NHL hasn't been as proactive as other leagues in discouraging its players from gambling, illegally or otherwise.

Jaromir Jagr admitted a few years back to running up a $500,000 debt with an offshore gambling site, but he wasn't publicly sanctioned in the affair. He did not bet on hockey.

But as Franzese and others have rightly pointed out, gambling on anything can be dangerous business, especially for athletes. The NFL has a rule that prohibits associating with gamblers in a way that could discredit the league. Ditto for Major League Baseball.

Pro contracts often prohibit players from riding motorcycles, skiing and skydiving. But if you're an NHL player, getting in deep to a bookie isn't explicitly prohibited by contract or bylaw. That needs to change. Bill Daly, the deputy commissioner, has said it might. Given the storm of horrible publicity that is likely headed the league's way, odds are it will.