A federal grand jury indicted four local guys -- Gerald "Jerry" Cammisano, James J. Moretina, Michael J. Lombardo and James L. Dicapo -- and a couple of out-of-state businesses today for running a $3.5 million illegal gambling operation.
The feds allege Cammisano, 56, was running the operation with Moretina, 60; Lombardo, 54; and Dicapo, 57, working under him as bookmakers. Prosecutors allege they ran an Internet gambling ring that took in $3,584,895 in wagers between March 2006 to April 2009.
All four men were arrested after the 23-count indictment was unsealed yesterday.
Bookmakers allegedly gave bettors a 1-800
number and Web site to bet on sporting events, and used
another 1-800 number to track the wagers and account balances.
The 1-800 numbers went to a Costa Rican company, which received
the
wagers and tracked the results but didn't have an interest in the
outcomes of the bets.
Prosecutors claim the Costa Rican company was Elite Sports in San Jose. They say Elite Sports served as the
operations virtual wire room, "taking wagers and keeping electronic
records of bettors' activities and results on a computer server." Elite Sports was allegedly paid per bettor.
Phoenix International Teleport Satellite
Services, Inc., in Chandler, Arizona, allegedly provided the 800 numbers to call in wagers as well as the Internet service.
The four men are all charged with one count of aiding and abetting each other to operate an illegal gambling business.
The indictment also charges:
and Lombardo each with five counts of using a telephone to transmit
information to assist in placing bets on sporting events.
cut -- $196,677 -- two laptops, three parcels of real estate and two
businesses -- Sun Auto Sales, Inc. and Cam & Vig, L.L.C.
Moretina's
stake in Be Amused Vending & Amusement Co. could also be going to
the government as well as residential property owned by Dicapo and
Lombardo's interest in Advanced Mudjacking, LLC.
As for Phoenix International, the company would have to
forfeit computes, servers, satellite dishes, and other equipment used
to take the wagers by phone and the Internet.
In separate cases, the government has already gotten guilty pleas from Vincent F. Civella, the son of Kansas City Crime Family boss Anthony "Tony Ripe" Civella, William D. Cammisano Jr., the 60-year-old son of noted mobster William "Willie the Rat" Cammisano; brothers Michael and Anthony Sansone, Tony Ripe's grandsons; 24-year-old Charles J. Simone; and 26-year-old Michael V.
Badalucco.
Showing 1-16 of 16
Havent you peckerwoods every heard of "beleive nothing what ya hear and only half of what ya see"? Maybe not coming from A italian family i am a close friend with Willie Cammisano, he is a good man would never strick a woman doesnt smoke sure he has some tacks in his life. But i think the Fedral Agents are not keeping mind. I mean look sure they did this but was it hurting people NO! You know they could stop wasting time catching people like my fellow friends, and start ketching the reall bad guys like Murders a girl down the street got raped, wheres the detective on that?! The world is shit now they don't think right. the italian mob way back in the day were bad but why italians? why not the irish they had a mob! i think its because there jelouse! Stop making it seem like were bad people! You know what ealse you can do is shuve all that bull shit you read about us and all the crap you think of us all your imaganations right up your white fucking no good asses.
hey irish, why don't you sign your name jackoff instead of irish. your making us look like a bunch of fuckin whitehogs. go back to ireland ya piece of shit.
Its all about money. the feds dont want anybody to make money without getting there piece of it. However Mr. Lombardo had been involved in gambling before and paid the price. Evidently he didnt learn his lesson from the first time. Of course he is trying to run with the money guys to impress his money hungry girl friends and bar owners.
To the last guy that posted... I think if you grew up with these people you would understand. These are not "bad guys". It makes me sick to my stomach knowing they're in a jail cell while murderers and drug dealers are out on the street.
I agree these acts are very insignificant and the government should be tackling other problems, but what it ultimately comes down to is that if you break a law then you may be prosecuted for it.
Yes, everyone bets on the NCAA tourney and fantasy football, but those people are not setting up international networks to route bets through foreign countries nor are they collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars.
American of Italian Descent, you've done some pretty interesting research. However, your statement that "Each and every law has to be certified Constitutional by the Supreme Court � every one of them," is wrong. The Supreme Court typically only reviews the constitutionality of a law after someone claims the alleged unconstitutional law injured them. Congress is actually free to pass all the unconstitutional laws as they see fit but the Supreme Court will strike them down after someone is injured by it and complains. So if there is any constitutional issues in this case, the men charged with these crimes are free to appeal all the way up the Supreme Court. However, since they are not appealing it, their attorneys must realize there is no Constitutional issue here.
Also, the US govt has the power to regulate interstate commerce. This includes everything that effects interstate commerce, even the most subtle effects fall under this umbrella.
The Supreme Court explicitly extended this power to include criminal problems such as gambling in Champion v. Ames, 188 U.S. 321 (1903). So yes the Fed cannot regulate INTRA-state activity, they ARE allowed to regulate INTER-state activity, activity between states and foreign governments, and INTRA-state activity that effects inter-state commerce.
These gentlemen are faced with a tough sentence for the crimes they committed but their sentences are just, proper, and constitutional. When someone pleads guilty, they admit their guilt, these men have admitted their crimes because they undoubtedly would have been convicted b/c they broke the law.
Its very easy to avoid such sentences, chose to make an honest living. Its very easy to do that. Check your local and federal laws to see what falls into that category.
Conservative estimates are that over $2.5 billion will be wagered via "illegal" NCAA office pools in the next month. Yes, that's billion.
Billions "illegally" bet on the Fantasy Football and the Super Bowl.
Victimless "crime." The punishment should match the offense--which appears to be insignificant.
Good luck on your picks.
Thank you Anonymous - I did research this before I commented. What else I found might interest you as well..
Looks like we need to educate ourselves�
The vast majority of Americans and even attorney�s don't understand Federal jurisdiction. Each and every law has to be certified Constitutional by the Supreme Court � every one of them. Are the federal courts in each state operating under the Constitution, or are they operating under another foundational corporate, maritime law or other structure? There is much written that supports that the federal jurisdiction, which limits Congress powers to legislate only within Washington D.C., the Territories, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, etc. And NOT the union states.
Think I�m a bit out there?? Then look it up for yourself�
- �Foley Brothers, Inc. v. Filardo, 336 U.S. 281 (1949).� (U.S. regulations apply only within the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. �It is a well established principle of law that all federal regulation applies only within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States unless a contrary intent appears.�)
- �Caha v. US, 152 U.S. 211 (1894)� (U.S. regulations apply only within the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. �The laws of Congress in respect to those matters [outside of Constitutionally delegated powers] do not extend into the territorial limits of the states, but have force only in the District of Columbia, and other places that are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the national government.�)
- �U.S. v. Spelar, 338 U.S. 217 at 222.� (U.S. regulations apply only within the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. �There is a canon of legislative construction which teaches Congress that, unless a contrary intent appears [legislation] is meant to apply only within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.�)
- �Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244 (1901).� (Purportedly decided if the constitution applies to U.S. territories. In actuality, unleashed the great fraud of unlimited statutory power misapplied throughout the continental united States of America. Dissenting opinion of Justice Marshall Harlan. ��two national governments, one to be maintained under the Constitution, with all its restrictions, the other to be maintained by Congress outside and independently of that instrument, by exercising such powers as other nations of the earth are accustomed to�a radical and mischievous change in our system of government will result�We will, in that event, pass from the era of constitutional liberty guarded and protected by a written constitution into an era of legislative absolutism�It will be an evil day for American liberty if the theory of a government outside the supreme law of the land finds lodgment in our constitutional jurisprudence.� In other words, a genuine de jure united States of America congress is always bound to enact laws within the jurisdiction of the constitution. He held to the obvious truth that congress does not exist, let alone have powers, outside the constitution. Harlan said, "This nation is under the control of a written constitution, the supreme law of the land and the only source of the powers which our government, or any branch or officer of it, may exert at any time or at any place.")
I must respectfully agree with American of Italian Descent.
Myself being the same, "Whatever" must be a child or one who sees the world ONLY through rose colered glasses. He has NO idea of the world around him.
American of Italian Descent, at least he read the whole indictment, knows from where the Feds come, and knows there is "other crime" the Govt should be going after. He writes a very good article and supplements it with facts and argument that goes after the meat of the indictment and the reasons the Govt just can't leave Italians alone.
Since 9/11 are we supposed to sit back and watch millions and millions of OUR tax dollars be thrown away by our Govt on something as non-criminal as online gambling. Don't tell me that there is nothing else the G could be spending these millions on.
I would dare them to tell just how many millions and millions of dollars were wasted by them on this HORRILE crime. It's just truly ignorant when you realize the investigation time by probably at leat 4-8 FBI Agents, the time and cost of travel to Phoenix and Costa Rica, and the time and effort of the US Attorneys office in Grand Jury for the past year and a half and the putting together time of secretarys and US Attorneys time in the preparation of the Indictment...Come on....millions and millions of dollars WASTED!!! Disgusting!!!
Thanks to intelligent people who realize this type of gambling will go on here and everywhere by anyone wanting to make a bet on anything.
And then from a further reading of the indictment, under the G's Request for Forfeiture, are they out of their minds.
They expect Mr. Cammisano to forfeit his home, all of his businesses, and any and all property he may own, whether with someone else or by himself. FOR WHAT I ask you? For doing something the PUBLIC, people just like you and I, ask for and want. If not for the NEED for relaxation and ease of our computer world, there would be no online gambling. ARE THEY SERIOUS???
Also, thanks to 1st Amendment Attorney Lawrence G Walters of Weston, Garrou, Dwitt & Walters, who released their findings that seriously question the legality of the law that is the foundation for all this investigating and these indictments and found that the law as it sits is most likely UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Thank you American of Italian Descent, for your great research into the UNconstitutionality of this ruse.
This indictment is nothing more than a witch hunt for Italian Americans who have done nothing more than to give the public what they want.
Talk about disgusting, the Govt are the ones who have to show that by this indictment they are curbing crime.
Come on folks...see through this ruse and understand that this is nothing more than the Govt trying to make "Fail Safe" their jobs for several more years.
Just fyi whatever......just becuse the paper says they had 170k in cash doesnt mean it's true......d azz.......that's right because I forgot, the feds and govt never lie or do things illegal....bahaaaa...
whatever your a tool
Whatever - Your response is typical of the millions of people who's only knowledge comes from what the newspapers write and from all the movies, TV shows, DVD and online games etc. all that set a standard for negative assumption and degrade all people of Italian heritage. Even you are suspect of any person with an Italian descent. You, like almost all non-Italians don't know that difference between Italian criminal and Italian.
As written above, millions of people gamble every day online and hundreds, if not thousands of people provide that opportunity. Almost all of the portals and companies that offer gambling online are domiciled in Costa Rica
Collection enforcement, stop paying for your car, or your credit cards and see what happens - People enjoy gambling, they collect when they win and pay when they lose. I'd like to see what you do about people that owe you money and didn't pay you?
None of the names mentioned in this case have ever been even suspected of murder and many people keep cash, coins and other tangible assets at their homes and offices etc - Do you have any idea how many banks have been taken over by the FDIC this year alone..
You sir, are the perfect example of why these men or any person of Italian heritage cannot get a fair trial. And so you know, the only real difference between betting on a football game online and an office pool is the computer. Do you think those office pool winners are reporting that money they won, typically $500 or more every week as income on their tax return? I think we both know that answer to that question.
Your perception of these men and people of Italian heritage is clearly distorted. Sadly you're not alone.
Whatever is that your name. you seemreal tough for probably not knowing anything about the case or these people except what you hear.
signed the guy who you got cracked by
Whatever - where do you get your info from? connected to murders....lol....your a joke....I bet you use to get beat up when you were little.....probably still do....
These names have lineage to the mob and some of the perps are 50 and over. Don't give me the Italian bias thing. This is about Italian criminals, not Italians. I don't care if they go to their kids games, church, or whatever. Legitimate business owners don't have 170K cash laying around the house. Please. They were running the gig from an off shore mechanism and collecting and enforcing here on the streets. Dont go into gambling law semantics and office pools. Some of these last names in the indictments are connected to MURDERS of the past. This is what these guys do. I, for one, am happy that the FBI still hammers these arrogant deviants. These guys are a trip. They act like victims. They will eat anyone but their own family to get money. Wake Up. This is not a myth. This is the Mafia.
Another Sad Day For America and Americans
The indictment described in this article should at the very least disgust you as it continues to show how our government is wasting our tax dollars, and how they are targeting Americans, not terrorist and using methods that ignore and/or circumvent the privacy guaranteed us via the Constitution. Tens of millions of dollars spent investigating something tens of millions of people do on a daily basis, internet gambling. Give me a break! Forget about our streets becoming more and more unsafe due to violent crimes, murders, rapes, and the list goes on. Forget about the street gangs and terrorist cells in our area that are educating, training and growing in our Muslim, black and other communities.
First, summons people suspected, not accused, or charged, but �suspected� of gambling online and circumvent their 5th amendment right to be silent so they could lock them away in jail � why? So the others called to be questioned will be more willing to give the answer the prosecutor is wanting to make a case. I ask you, how to you trust the testimony of anyone who answered questions under duress, to keep from going to jail for something they were never arrested or charged about?? The answer is, you cannot trust what they say � that�s one reason our freedoms forbid these practices! Nor can any American of Italian descent get a fair trial in Kansas City, or anywhere else in this country.
There must be what, hundreds of websites where you can place a bet, why is it that only people of Italian heritage are targeted, investigated and charged. $3,584,895 � they use an exact amount to make it seem like they know � sounds like a lot of money huu? It�s peanuts compared to the BILLIONS that are bet online every day. To assume that Italians are the only ones gambling online is insane - but they are the ONLY ones targeted.
Oh it gets better - years of investigations, millions in tax dollars spent and there is more than just a little doubt that internet gambling is illegal. 1st Amendment Attorney Lawrence G Walters of Weston, Garrou, Dwitt & Walters released their findings that seriously question the legality of the law that is the foundation for all this investigating.
Take notice the quote in page #11 of 17 of the findings which states:
Some states have passed specific prohibitions on the act of Internet betting, itself, while others prohibit the operation of various types of an Internet gambling business. Still other states have passed laws which are broad enough to potentially include Internet gambling, but which do not make specific mention of such prohibitions. Read in its narrowest sense, the UIGEA may only apply to gambling transactions that are prohibited by a specific state�s law. The act of placing a bet online is not specifically prohibited by federal law.
Here is the full PDF
http://www.gamblinglawupdate.c...
When the government plans a strategic attack on Italian Americans and does so while ignoring and circumventing our Constitutional rights - with the planned precision to get people to plead guilty before they have been charged, before their attorneys have an opportunity to do their own investigation as to the validity of the investigation, or the charges, is criminal all by itself.
I hope these people who have been charged plead not guilty and beat these charges that will not stop costing the tax payers for years to come.
There is no mafia in Kansas City, or anywhere else!
I�m a proud American of Italian Descent and that�s my take on this entire fiasco
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