7 More Arrests in Rockland-based Gambling Ring

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced the arrest of seven men on a variety of charges, as part of an ongoing probe into illegal sports betting across the region.

The dismantling of the large-scale gambling operation started earlier this month with the arrest of 14 people connected to an alleged unlawful enterprise that stretched from Rockland County to Palm Beach, FLA.

Investigators estimate the ring took in millions of dollars a month over a 16-month period by accepting wagers on a wide variety of sporting events—ranging from professional football, basketball, hockey and baseball to college basketball, among others.

The seven surrendered at the Clarkstown Police Department, appeared in Clarkstown Town Court and were released on their own recognizance.

The defendants are charged variously with Promoting Gambling, Possession of Gambling Records, Money Laundering and other offenses. Based on information obtained during the probe, there were approximately 60 court authorized search warrants in New York, New Jersey and Florida. To date more than $3 million dollars in cash and other properties have been seized.

The crackdown was the culmination of a 16-month probe led by the Organized Crime Unit directed by the District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of the New York State Police Special Investigative Unit, the Clarkstown Police Department, the Ramapo Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Queens District Attorney’s Organized Crime Division, the NYPD Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Department of Homeland Security, the Broward County Sheriff’s Department, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.

The individuals arrested today are identified as:

• Benjamin Reiss of 9 Hampton Dr, Nanuet, NY—charged with Promoting Gambling and Possession of Gambling Records
• Frank Giordano 277 Shady Brook Lane, Pomona, NY—charged with Promoting Gambling in the 1st degree and Possession of Gambling Records 1st degree
• Gerardo Dimatteo of 367 Birdsall Lane, Yorktown Heights, NY—charged with Promoting Gambling in the 2 degree and Possession of Gambling Records 1st degree
• Robert Aulicino of 313 Orchard St, Monroe, NY—charged with Promoting Gambling in the 2nddegree and Possession of Gambling Records 1st degree
• William Robbins formerly of Thiells, NY—currently residing at 147 Fox Den, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina charged with Money Laundering in the 4th degree and and Promoting Gambling in the 2nd degree.
• James Hayman of 6 Hudson View Dr, Tomkins Cove, NY—charged with Promoting Gambling in the 1st degree and Possession of Gambling Records 1st degree
• Jonathan Klein of 14 Blue Heron Dr, Staten Island, NY—charged with Promoting Gambling in the 1st degree and Possession of Gambling Records 1st degree

Among those charged Dec. 2 were:

• Patsy Capolongo, 8210 Spyglass Dr, West Palm Beach, FL; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree
• Carmine Potenza, 93 N. Pilgrim, Pearl River, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree
• Harry Floershiem, 6 Mountain View Dr, Tompkins Cove, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree
• Thomas Feeney, 6 College Rd, Nanuet, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree
• Brian E. Kelly, 23 Carlton Rd, Pearl River, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the second degree
• Richard Simko, 5 Herbet Ct, Tomkins Cove, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the second degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree
• Richard Lacava, 622 Pelhamdale Ave, Pelham Manor, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree
• Eric Wachter, 2430 Stuart St, Brooklyn, NY; charged with Money Laundering in the Fourth degree
• John Tognino, 3191 Ampere Ave, Bronx, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree
• Robert Wisiak, 7356 196th St, Queens, NY; charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree