Feds Infiltrate Illegal Sports Betting Ring

US federal enforcement authorities made several arrests on Friday after managing to infiltrate a major illegal sports betting operation in Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida.

The arrests of seven individuals were a culmination of an investigation that took one year to complete, during which time the agents got close enough to the twelve suspects in a campaign dubbed by the feds as ‘Operation Gotham City’.

The fed agents used a $160,000 wager as a sting to entrap the suspects. Warrants for another five people have also been issued, and the men are being sought by authorities.

According to the feds, the sports betting ring operated out of five states, as well as Central America, offering illegal sports wagering services to punters.  The group were also accused of money laundering through several banks.

No further details were given about the illegal sports betting network, although it is presumed that the Central America state involved in the operation is Costa Rica.

The head of the operation is allegedly 52-year-old Adam Green who was held on a $750,000 bond.  Others arrested with Green include Eric Spinosa (36), Emilio Colon (32), Jordan Brown (24), Sean Barnes (34), Mark Ruggiero (42) and Rehan Kazi (45).

Authorities would not release more information about the arrests, and will probably keep mum until the other five men at large are brought in for questioning.

Greg Lauer, the attorney acting for Adam Green, accused of illegal bookmaking, racketeering and money laundering, said about his client’s actions: “They were not selling drugs, there were no guns involved. Guys betting on sports is what’s being alleged here. If we were in a different jurisdiction, this would be 100 percent legal.”

Sources: Sun Sentinel