Costa Rica online sports betting connections alleged in new U.S indictment
News on 16 Jul 2013
News on 16 Jul 2013
Federal prosecutors unsealed a new indictment in Newark, New Jersey Monday, alleging that there has been U.S. organised crime involvement in a Costa Rica-based sports betting site titled BetEagle.com.
The indictment named 13 US residents, alleging that some were members of the Genovese organised crime family and the LaScala Crew.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman revealed that two other men are being sought.
Eighty-year-old Joseph Lascala was identified as a leading figure in the sports betting ring, and is accused of directing the criminal activities of a group of associates referred to in the indictment as the “Lascala Crew.” These activities included illegal gambling, and the collection of unlawful debt.
Prosecutors allege that members and associates of the Lascala Crew and others, together with individuals that own and operate the website Beteagle.com, used that website to profit through the operation of an illegal gambling business that operated in northern New Jersey and elsewhere.
