New York sports betting ring generated $76 million in wagers

More detail emerged this week on a New York state online sports betting ring operated by Rochester duo Paul Borelli (66) and Joseph Ruff (32) along with 40-year-old Mark Ruff from Connecticut.

The men were arrested last week following a Grand Jury investigation, and have been indicted on 23 different offences (see previous report).

This week Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola alleged that the defendants had been in similar trouble back in 2006, but that this time the enterprise generated wagers of $76 million from activity starting in January 2012 until last week’s shutdown.

Marangola told a federal court Tuesday that the evidence at his disposal was substantial: “It’s going to be quite voluminous, given there are wiretaps, search warrants and a large amount of computer data,” he said.

The Rochester defendants were appearing in court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian Payson to accredit their legal representation, and some argument took place over one lawyer, who had been involved in the 2006 issues.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty. The current gambling indictment alleges others, who are not named in court papers and have not been charged, were also involved.

Authorities allege that the three accused men used multiple offshore Internet gambling sites to facilitate illegal sports betting by US residents. Borrelli and Joseph Ruff allegedly took payments at the now shuttered Marina Restaurant & Bar in Charlotte, which the two Rochester men managed.

In the police actions to arrest the men last week, $80,000 in ca sh was seized, along with other evidence, from private homes and other venues.

Investigations by a variety of local, state and federal agencies commenced late last year.

The legal representative for Mark Ruff told local reporters that he was sceptical regarding the $76 million figure used by enforcement officials.

“It’s always overstated when they try to go into gross bets,” he said, noting that this number was not representative of what the defendants would have allegedly made, and adding that typically a bookmaker handling wagers pockets 3 percent to 6 percent,

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