Shea Stadium groundskeeper indicted in alleged gambling ring
SportsLine.com wire reports
NEW YORK -- The head groundskeeper at Shea Stadium was one of three dozen people indicted on charges they took part in a gambling ring that handled about 2,000 bets a day and took in $360 million in two years, authorities said Wednesday.
The operation, in which gamblers wagered on sporting events including horse racing, football and baseball, benefited the Bonanno crime family and funded other illegal activities, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a news release.
Prosecutors said Dominic Valila, head groundskeeper at Shea, where the New York Mets play home games, was a runner who kept lists of bettors, paid wins, collected losses and recruited new gamblers.
There was no reason to believe the Mets' players, front office or managerial or coaching staff were involved, the district attorney said.
The Mets, in a statement provided by spokesman Jay Horwitz, said they had cooperated fully with the district attorney's office.
Prosecutors said the ring handled more than 5,000 wagers totaling more than $2.5 million on Jan. 23, during the NFL playoffs.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
SportsLine.com wire reports
NEW YORK -- The head groundskeeper at Shea Stadium was one of three dozen people indicted on charges they took part in a gambling ring that handled about 2,000 bets a day and took in $360 million in two years, authorities said Wednesday.
The operation, in which gamblers wagered on sporting events including horse racing, football and baseball, benefited the Bonanno crime family and funded other illegal activities, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a news release.
Prosecutors said Dominic Valila, head groundskeeper at Shea, where the New York Mets play home games, was a runner who kept lists of bettors, paid wins, collected losses and recruited new gamblers.
There was no reason to believe the Mets' players, front office or managerial or coaching staff were involved, the district attorney said.
The Mets, in a statement provided by spokesman Jay Horwitz, said they had cooperated fully with the district attorney's office.
Prosecutors said the ring handled more than 5,000 wagers totaling more than $2.5 million on Jan. 23, during the NFL playoffs.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
