Sportsbetting Americans sent to jail

The previously reported prosecution of three Americans accused of running online sports betting operations from offshore locations has culminated in sentencing this week.

Two operators of the 44wager.com website based in Costa Rica but offering services to US residents were sentenced to prison Monday.

Thomas Uva IV (32) was sentenced to 21 months, followed by three years of supervised release, and John Colello (54) was awarded six months jail-time, followed by two years of supervised release.

The two Stanford, Connecticut men were charged along with 18 others with running an illegal sports betting site and card gambling clubs, uncovered by a lengthy FBI investigation.

In related news, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced Monday that Phillip John Bauco (56) has been sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release by Hartford US District Judge Alfred V. Covello for participating in an illegal gambling operation.

Bauco also entered a guilty plea on racketeering conspiracy back in January 2010 and was required to pay a $5,000 fine.

In 2010 Bauco’s co-defendant Raul Suner also pleaded guilty to a count of racketeering conspiracy that included instances of violence against others. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Covello on June 8.

The allegations against Bauco were that he and Suner operated an illegal internet-based sports betting operation. The duo held meetings furthering their illegal enterprise on the US premises of their Auto Town Sales company in Stratford, Connecticut.
The case against the two men was assembled by the FBI, working in conjunction with the Connecticut State Police and the Milford Police Department.

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