OPERATION “SHORE BET” DISMANTLES $1 MILLION PER WEEK GAMBLING OPERATION

(FREEHOLD) An extensive investigation into a $1 million-a-week organized gambling enterprise operating in the Monmouth County region culminated Monday with the arrest of 22 individuals, the seizure of a dozen vehicles, more than $500,000 in cash, and the freezing of financial accounts used to facilitate the criminal activity, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE DEFENDENTS

The 18-month joint investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Asbury Park, Deal, Freehold Township, Howell, Marlboro, Ocean, Red Bank and Wall Police Departments culminated Monday with the execution of search and arrest warrants with the assistance of the officers from the Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Toms River, and West Long Branch Police Departments.

The investigation revealed a well organized gambling enterprise extending throughout Monmouth County and into Somerset, Essex, and Hudson Counties and the State of New York.  Members of the enterprise laundered the proceeds of their criminal activity through various methods to avoid reporting requirements and to mask the true ownership and source of the ill gotten gains.  Additionally, it was discovered members of the organization also engaged in the sale and distribution of marijuana and prescription drugs.

Richard Crossan, 55, of Hillsborough, and Anthony Gagliardi, 38, of Monmouth Beach, acted as co-conspirators in a racketeering enterprise focused on the promotion of gambling activity, and the financial facilitation of criminal activity commonly known as money laundering.  The investigation revealed that the enterprise used sophisticated electronic resources – including websites to track illegal wagering and record profits and losses – for a gambling operation grossing in excess of $1,000,000 per week.

A total of 9 search warrants were executed from June 18-24, 2013, in Monmouth, Somerset, Essex, and Hudson Counties and Manhattan.

The members of the enterprise also engaged in the laundering of their illicit proceeds throughout Monmouth County using numerous financial institutions and other methods to conceal the source and nature of the proceeds of their criminal activity.

Some members of the enterprise also sold controlled dangerous substances, including sales to an undercover detective from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.  The investigation uncovered a conspiracy to sell prescription narcotics (oxycodone and Vicodin) and marijuana. 

Three suspects remain at-large and are wanted fugitives: 

·        Edward Cichoski, 60, of Wall, is described as a white male, standing 6′, weighing 200 lbs., with blond hair and brown eyes.

·        Pasquale Dellomo, 41, of Miami, Fla., is described as a white male, 5’07” tall and weighing 180 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes.

·        and Nuno C. Oliveira, 38, of Asbury Park, is described as a white male, standing 5′ 08″ in height, 150 lbs. in weight, with black hair and brown eyes.

On June 18, 2013, officers executed a search warrant on the Long Branch home of Anthony Carlesimo, 40, where about two pounds of marijuana, approximately 50 oxycodone pills, over $23,000 in cash, digital scales and paraphernalia used to distribute controlled dangerous substances were seized.

Search warrants executed on June 24, 2013, resulted with the seizure of over $77,000 and more than 300 Vicodin pills at the Cliffside Park home of Thomas Floriani; about $152,390 in cash from Gagliardi; and a 2009 BMW 750 series and 2011 Lexus LX5 from the Toms River home of Anthony Benyola.

Bails for each defendant were set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Lawrence M. Lawson, A.J.S.C. in this matter.operation shore bet

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Anyone with information should contact the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-1443.

This case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutors Paul Alexander and Michael Costanzo of the Office’s Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Unit.

Posted: June 25th, 2013 | Author: admin | Filed under: Monmouth County Prosecutor, Press Release | Tags: Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Operation Shore Bet, Press Release | 6 Comments »

• Tweet

---