Members of a Harrison-based Internet sports gambling ring used intimidation and, in some cases, violence to collect on bets, and recruited teens to take wagers and peddle steroids at local gyms, police said yesterday.
"These folks were bad characters," Harrison Police Chief David Hall said of the 18 men arrested Saturday after an 18-month investigation into the organization, which authorities said took in $2 million in wagers a week from more than 800 bettors in the metropolitan area. "These were guys who were walking around West Harrison like they were mobsters. They all wanted to be Tony Soprano."
The organization took bets as high as $100,000 on sporting events, authorities say. Bets were placed on one of about 60 Web sites or through toll-free telephone numbers and were funneled by computer to a "wire room" off the coast of Costa Rica. Most of those arrested were charged with enterprise corruption, a felony, after authorities seized $1 million in alleged gambling profits along with jewelry, computers, drugs, guns and 15 vehicles.
Hall said ring members regularly hung around West Harrison "because they felt comfortable there."
"They knew the lay of the land," the police chief said. "We're taking about guys who were driving around in $80,000 Range Rovers and $90,000 BMWs. Through investigation, we learned that many of them had no-show jobs."
Among those charged was 30-year-old Joshua Cohen, a former NASCAR account executive who now leads GameChange Marketing. The company is affiliated with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing and publishes Race Watch magazine and other sports publications designed to give exposure to sponsors. Cohen has been released on $150,000 bail.
Andrew Giangola, a spokesman for NASCAR, said the popular car racing circuit has not been contacted by law enforcement.
"What we know about this is what we've seen in media reports," Giangola said. "We have not been contacted by authorities and we have not spoken with (Cohen). At this point, it would be premature for us to speculate on this situation."
Hall said investigators used wiretaps, video surveillance and stakeouts to build the case, working mainly with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
"We heard conversations where they discussed ways to entice kids into working for them - taking them to fancy restaurants, buying them drinks. They were getting kids to sell steroids in gyms throughout the metropolitan area. We also heard them make threats. In one conversation, they threatened to come to a bettor's house and beat the s—— out of him if he didn't pay up. And we know that they roughed up a few people. What's gratifying is that by taking these guys down, we're showing the kids that this is not such a glamorous lifestyle."
Hall said more arrests were likely as the investigation continues and "many more charges'' would be filed against those already in custody.
Meanwhile, district attorney spokesman Lucian Chalfen said all but seven of the men remain in custody on bail ranging from $25,000 to $2 million. All the suspects are due in Harrison Town Court on May 18.
"These folks were bad characters," Harrison Police Chief David Hall said of the 18 men arrested Saturday after an 18-month investigation into the organization, which authorities said took in $2 million in wagers a week from more than 800 bettors in the metropolitan area. "These were guys who were walking around West Harrison like they were mobsters. They all wanted to be Tony Soprano."
The organization took bets as high as $100,000 on sporting events, authorities say. Bets were placed on one of about 60 Web sites or through toll-free telephone numbers and were funneled by computer to a "wire room" off the coast of Costa Rica. Most of those arrested were charged with enterprise corruption, a felony, after authorities seized $1 million in alleged gambling profits along with jewelry, computers, drugs, guns and 15 vehicles.
Hall said ring members regularly hung around West Harrison "because they felt comfortable there."
"They knew the lay of the land," the police chief said. "We're taking about guys who were driving around in $80,000 Range Rovers and $90,000 BMWs. Through investigation, we learned that many of them had no-show jobs."
Among those charged was 30-year-old Joshua Cohen, a former NASCAR account executive who now leads GameChange Marketing. The company is affiliated with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing and publishes Race Watch magazine and other sports publications designed to give exposure to sponsors. Cohen has been released on $150,000 bail.
Andrew Giangola, a spokesman for NASCAR, said the popular car racing circuit has not been contacted by law enforcement.
"What we know about this is what we've seen in media reports," Giangola said. "We have not been contacted by authorities and we have not spoken with (Cohen). At this point, it would be premature for us to speculate on this situation."
Hall said investigators used wiretaps, video surveillance and stakeouts to build the case, working mainly with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
"We heard conversations where they discussed ways to entice kids into working for them - taking them to fancy restaurants, buying them drinks. They were getting kids to sell steroids in gyms throughout the metropolitan area. We also heard them make threats. In one conversation, they threatened to come to a bettor's house and beat the s—— out of him if he didn't pay up. And we know that they roughed up a few people. What's gratifying is that by taking these guys down, we're showing the kids that this is not such a glamorous lifestyle."
Hall said more arrests were likely as the investigation continues and "many more charges'' would be filed against those already in custody.
Meanwhile, district attorney spokesman Lucian Chalfen said all but seven of the men remain in custody on bail ranging from $25,000 to $2 million. All the suspects are due in Harrison Town Court on May 18.