[Printer Friendly Version]   [How to E-mail This Article to A Friend]

SPORTS ZONE 2: Alleged Gamblers Indicted

Thirty-six people were indicted on gambling charges Wednesday, May 18, 2005, including the head groundskeeper of Shea Stadium. The gambling ring made $360 million in two years. On January 23, 2005, during the National Football League playoffs, they collected 5,000 wagers that totaled up to $2.5 million.

Shea Stadium head groundskeeper Dominic Valila was a runner for the ring, meaning he kept lists of gamblers, losses and wins, and recruited new people. He has no criminal history. The New York Mets baseball team plays at Shea Stadium. Some wonder if Valila ran bets for the team’s management, but authorities said there is no reason to believe the Mets or its officials gambled.

If someone is indicted, he or she has been formally charged with a crime. The thirty-six people involved in the gambling ring must show up to face a judge or grand jury to satisfy the indictment charges. Law enforcement officials in New York City and Pennsylvania are already holding most of the gambling ring's members.

The group handled bets for horse races, football, and baseball games in New York City and Costa Rica. Only five of the alleged gambling ring remains at large, probably in Costa Rica. The profits went to the Bonnano crime family and also funded illegal activities.

--Written by Sarah Kurachek

Write your own story telling us what you think about this article!

Read SPORTS ZONE 1: Tiger Misses Cut