Updated news on the Gambino, Genovese, Bonanno, Lucchese and Colombo Organized Crime Families of New York City.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Gambino gangsters sentenced to federal prison for illegal gambling in Connecticut


Two alleged members of the Gambino organized crime family were sentenced to federal prison on Thursday for their involvement in illegal gambling in Connecticut, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

Richard Uva, 45, of Trumbull, was sentenced to 3 years, 10 months in prison, followed by three years of probation, the release states. Victor Amereno, 43, of Stamford, was sentenced to 6 months in prison, followed by three years of probation.

Uva was also ordered to forfeit $250,000. Amereno was ordered to forfeit $15,000.

A total of 20 people were charged in connection with this investigation, according to the release.

Uva assisted with the operation of a large-scale sports bookmaking business and supervised a network of bookmakers, including Amereno, the release states. Uva also operated illegal card gambling clubs in Stamford and Hamden.

According to the release, Uva also admitted to extortion. He said he collected "tribute" payments from independent sports bookmakers in Connecticut, a portion of which were delivered to Gambino family associates in New York.

An FBI analysis of the sports-betting website determined the total revenue to be nearly $1.7 million from October 2010 to June 2011, the release states.

The 18 defendants who have pleaded guilty thus far in the case have agreed to forfeit approximately $1.4 million, according to the release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen previously said that Uva was second-in-command to his longtime friend and co-defendant Dean DePreta who was "the titular head of the Gambino crime family" in southern Connecticut.

DePreta was sentenced earlier this month to 71 months for his role in the operation as reported by Edmund H. Mahony for The Hartford Courant: "authorities running wire taps recorded DePreta numerous times discussing the gambling operation, including his collection of 'street taxes' by extorting or 'shaking down' independent bookmakers who were not paying criminal organizations for protection."

http://www.courant.com/community/stamford/hc-stamford-gambling-ring-1025-20131024,0,4233215.story


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