Ten men from Washington and Allegheny counties face criminal charges for allegedly operating an illegal gambling ring centered in Washington County.
State Attorney General Mike Fisher on Thursday identified the suspects as:
Suspects and charges here
The charges were recommended by a statewide grand jury and came following a two-year investigation involving Fisher's office and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Fisher identified Flynn as the alleged head of the gambling operation and said he operated the gambling ring from his restaurant and bar, Union Grill in Washington.
Fisher said prosecutors from his office and state police, who investigated the gambling ring from April 2001 to April 2003, presented evidence of the defendants' alleged illegal activities before a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended that he file criminal charges.
Fisher said the grand jury found that Flynn allegedly ran a gambling organization that included a partner, Martin, and several bookies located in Washington and Allegheny counties. The charges allege that the gambling organization primarily involved sports betting. The grand jury identified the bookies working for Flynn as: Piccolo, Skorvan, Celedonia, Cihal, McGonigle, Pankas, Antonio and Cononge.
The grand jury found that Martin and Piccolo also allegedly organized an illegal lottery and Flynn and Piccolo allegedly organized an illegal "Vegas Night," which involved blackjack and craps.
Kevin Harley, deputy press secretary for the state Attorney General's office, said an informant helped provide information on the numbers operation but permission to record phone call information cracked the case.
The investigating team logged an "alarming frequency of calls" that were short and came in waves, an indication of alleged illegal activity, Harley said.
In a six-month period from October 2002 to March 2003, the business received 18,000 calls and 14,000 were less than one minute the press release says.
"The most telling aspect of this alleged gambling ring would be the volume of phone calls, the volume of activity in a relatively short period of time," Harley said.
Fisher noted the volume of short duration telephone calls is consistent with the use of telephone lines for bookmaking.
During the course of the investigation, Fisher said, the Pennsylvania State Police executed search warrants at each of the defendants' homes. Investigators seized a variety of gambling paraphernalia, including sporting records, line sheets, schedule books and nearly $220,000.
At Cononge's residence, state police also seized marijuana and steroids, Fisher said.
Charges were filed Thursday by state troopers filed the charges yesterday before Canonsburg District Justice Jay Weller.
A preliminarily arraignments for the defendants are scheduled for Sept. 10 before District Justice Jay Weller in Canonsburg.
Harley said underground gambling operations have been a consistent problem in the Washington area.
"Illegal gambling operations have been around for many years and they continue to be in existence," Harley said.
The bust was a team effort with state police and the AGs office, Harley said.
"Pennsylvania state police have been traditionally very aggressive in investigating illegal gambling rings. We have done many of the prosecutions," Harley said.
Fisher thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for its investigation of the gambling ring. He noted that Deputy Attorney General Margaret Ross of his Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section in Pittsburgh will be prosecuting the defendants.
State Attorney General Mike Fisher on Thursday identified the suspects as:
Suspects and charges here
The charges were recommended by a statewide grand jury and came following a two-year investigation involving Fisher's office and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Fisher identified Flynn as the alleged head of the gambling operation and said he operated the gambling ring from his restaurant and bar, Union Grill in Washington.
Fisher said prosecutors from his office and state police, who investigated the gambling ring from April 2001 to April 2003, presented evidence of the defendants' alleged illegal activities before a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended that he file criminal charges.
Fisher said the grand jury found that Flynn allegedly ran a gambling organization that included a partner, Martin, and several bookies located in Washington and Allegheny counties. The charges allege that the gambling organization primarily involved sports betting. The grand jury identified the bookies working for Flynn as: Piccolo, Skorvan, Celedonia, Cihal, McGonigle, Pankas, Antonio and Cononge.
The grand jury found that Martin and Piccolo also allegedly organized an illegal lottery and Flynn and Piccolo allegedly organized an illegal "Vegas Night," which involved blackjack and craps.
Kevin Harley, deputy press secretary for the state Attorney General's office, said an informant helped provide information on the numbers operation but permission to record phone call information cracked the case.
The investigating team logged an "alarming frequency of calls" that were short and came in waves, an indication of alleged illegal activity, Harley said.
In a six-month period from October 2002 to March 2003, the business received 18,000 calls and 14,000 were less than one minute the press release says.
"The most telling aspect of this alleged gambling ring would be the volume of phone calls, the volume of activity in a relatively short period of time," Harley said.
Fisher noted the volume of short duration telephone calls is consistent with the use of telephone lines for bookmaking.
During the course of the investigation, Fisher said, the Pennsylvania State Police executed search warrants at each of the defendants' homes. Investigators seized a variety of gambling paraphernalia, including sporting records, line sheets, schedule books and nearly $220,000.
At Cononge's residence, state police also seized marijuana and steroids, Fisher said.
Charges were filed Thursday by state troopers filed the charges yesterday before Canonsburg District Justice Jay Weller.
A preliminarily arraignments for the defendants are scheduled for Sept. 10 before District Justice Jay Weller in Canonsburg.
Harley said underground gambling operations have been a consistent problem in the Washington area.
"Illegal gambling operations have been around for many years and they continue to be in existence," Harley said.
The bust was a team effort with state police and the AGs office, Harley said.
"Pennsylvania state police have been traditionally very aggressive in investigating illegal gambling rings. We have done many of the prosecutions," Harley said.
Fisher thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for its investigation of the gambling ring. He noted that Deputy Attorney General Margaret Ross of his Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section in Pittsburgh will be prosecuting the defendants.
