‘Ray Donovan’ producer sentenced

The spectacular New York “art gallery” illegal poker and sports betting bust earlier this year delivered up another conviction and sentencing this week when 44-year-old television producer Bryan Zuriff escaped jail but was sentenced to two years probation by a Manhattan federal court.

The producer of the popular television series “Ray Donovan”, Zuriff stood accused of helping run an illegal sports betting business that New York prosecutors linked to the Russian mob.

Zuriff was remorseful and took full responsibility for his activities and decisions; he told Judge Jesse M. Furman that he is working on his addiction to gambling.

The prosecution asked for a one year jail sentence, claiming that Zuriff and art gallery owner Hillel “Helly” Nahmad and others were co-conspirators in the illegal sports betting scheme.

However, Judge Furman said he agreed with defence arguments that Zuriff deserved credit for being the first of more than 30 defendants charged in the case to plead guilty and cooperate with the authorities.

Along with probation, and six months home confinement, the judge ordered Zuriff to perform 300 hours of community service and to pay a $20,000 fine. He had previously agreed to forfeit $500,000, Associated Press reports.

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