More than 20 people deny guilt in Rhode Island sports betting ring case
More than 20 people pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges they are linked to a $400,000 illegal sports betting ring that authorities say roped in married couples, a 20-year-old car dealer living with his parents and several organized crime figures in their 60s and 70s.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2011/12/07/25_people_to_be_arraigned_in_ri_gambling_case/
The defendants were arraigned over several hours in Providence County Superior Court in front of a courtroom packed with high school students on a class trip.
All but one defendant, reputed New England mobster Frank C. "Bobo" Marrapese, were released after posting bail. The 68-year-old Marrapese was convicted in 1987 of killing fellow mobster Richard "Dickie" Callei and was paroled three years ago. He's being held as a parole violator. Authorities say he used his role in the mafia to engage in extortion.
Reputed Rhode Island crime boss Edward "Eddy" Lato, 64, and another suspected mobster, Alfred "Chippy" Scivola, 70, weren't brought to court. They are being detained on federal charges they were shaking down Providence-area strip clubs.
Police say 50-year-old Vincent Tallo, of Johnston, ran the ring, which took illegal bets on professional and college sports. He pleaded not guilty to racketeering, criminal gambling, bookmaking, drug and other charges. His wife, 50-year-old Helene Tallo, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to violate drug laws.
One defendant, 37-year-old Melissa Cato, said she didn't know about the arraignment and only showed up because her husband, 38-year-old Richard Cato, was due in court. They pleaded not guilty to criminal solicitation.
The judge allowed 20-year-old Karl Anastasi, of Cranston, to be released on personal recognizance on the condition he continue living at home with his parents and working at a car dealership. He pleaded not guilty a charge of conspiracy to violate drug laws.
The investigation began in the fall of 2010 and ultimately included wiretaps on cellphones owned by Vincent Tallo and Marrapese, according to police, who say information from the Marrapese wiretap led to evidence of extortion and other crimes.
Authorities say they also set up a wiretap on a cellphone belonging to 49-year-old Alfred E. Maiello, of Johnston. He pleaded not guilty to organized criminal gambling and bookmaking.
Twenty-three people were arrested in May in connection to the case. A grand jury returned indictments against 25 people last month.
An arrest warrant was issued for 64-year-old Christopher DiSanto, of Providence, who didn't show up for his arraignment. He is charged with organized criminal gambling.
The arraignment for 39-year-old Gerald Coro was postponed until Dec. 14. The remaining defendants are due back in court on March 7.http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2011/12/07/25_people_to_be_arraigned_in_ri_gambling_case/
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