I don't want to thrash this story to death, but the following AHN piece gives an interesting glimpse into the tactics used by the authorities to bust Giordano and his his associates.....


HOIST BY HIS OWN LAPTOP (Update)

How police uncovered the big sports betting bust

The Miami publication All Headline News this week gave an insight into how the Playwithal sports betting bust was initiated by a police informant and confirmed by covert access to a laptop used by the main accused in the case.

The computer laptop of Miami resident James Giordano led police to uncover the billion dollar online gambling ring.

Police received a tip in 2005 that initiated the investigation, claims AHN. A search warrant was obtained in June, and police gained access to Giordano's computer laptop that he had left in his hotel room while he was attending a wedding in New York. Officials were able to make a copy of the hard drive from the computer.

The information was used to initiate and build a case that stretched over four states.

Local police departments and FBI agents coordinated the busts. The investigation culminated in the arrests of 27 people from Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Nevada in connection with the online gambling ring.

Giordano was arrested in Miami, and another top ring leader, Frank Falzarono, was arrested in New York for their involvements in the illegal operation.

Gambling records, computers, millions of dollars in cash, condos, jewelry, coins and collectibles have been seized from those who were arrested.

Various charges included illegal gambling operations, corruption and money laundering.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, two Florida companies and one New York company were also charged in relation to the gambling operation. These companies helped Giordano with technical computer support for the restricted format of the gambling operation's website. The betting operation was different than others in order to avoid detection by recent federal laws.

According to the Miami Herald, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly stated, "This is the largest illegal gambling operation we have ever encountered."