Listen to this articleFive people were charged Thursday with allegedly running an illegal online sports betting operation from September 2023 to April 2024 in Nassau County, officials said.
Those indicted included a former New York City police officer, said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Donnelly said that the DA’s office conducted a 14-month long investigation, involving wiretaps and other surveillance.
“These five individuals allegedly operated a sophisticated online sports betting operation in Nassau County, profiting off of hundreds of bets that took place during the 14-month period of our investigation,” Donnelly said in a news release about the charges.
“One bettor alone owed more than $150,000 in debt to this alleged operation, showing the breadth of this illegal book,” Donnelly added. “My office is committed to taking down illegal gambling networks and holding accountable the bookkeepers, runners, and other agents who try to skirt state laws toward their own selfish ends.”
The DA’s office said that there are a limited number of licenses available in New York State to operate legitimate sports books. These licensed sports books operate under strict state guidelines. A portion of their profits are subject to New York State taxes.
Officials say that Philip Carucci of Levittown, Frank LoNigro of Merrick and Joseph Pietaro, of West Islip and the former NYPD officer, had allegedly operated as runners for the sports book. Each allegedly had multiple bettors under them. Also charged were Anthony Pelligrino of Merrick and Anthony Frascone of East Meadow.
All five pleaded not guilty.
Officials said that Frascone, the alleged leader of the operation, had kept records of and received a portion of the profits generated from the sports book and, according to the investigation, also shared a portion with other associates in the Bronx.
Murray Richman, an attorney who represents Frascone, described his client to Newsday as “a decent human being,” adding that his client is innocent and that “we will beat these charges eventually.” Dennis Lemke, an attorney who represents Pellegrino, a retired teacher, told Newsday that there was “not much to” the charges. Eric Franz, LoNigro’s attorney, described his client to Newsday as a “law-abiding citizen. He runs a restaurant and all he does is feed people.”
The five who were charged are due back in court in December.
