ONLINE GAMBLING OFFENDER FINED

23 November 2007

New Jersey man admits to promoting gambling


An online sports betting sting operation had a sequel this week when William Motto (52) was sentenced to four months in the Camden County Jail as part of a probationary sentence for promoting gambling. He was additionally ordered to pay a $5 000 fine by Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Brown Jr.

Motto admitted in his guilty plea that he had participated in an online gambling site set up by Vincent Filipelli, a Cherry Hill man indicted this month on gambling and weapons charges (see previous InfoPowa report).

The charges are rooted in the alleged operation of an online sports betting website that officials claim Filipelli ran for several years.

It has been alleged by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office that last year in Philadelphia, Filipelli threatened an undercover agent over a gambling debt incurred at the sports betting website.

Filipelli has so far pleaded guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering, which could land him in prison for up to 20 years, excluding new charges announced by the AG earlier this month of taking bets over the Internet, conspiracy to promote gambling, promoting gambling and possession of gambling records. It is understood that additional charges of possession of steroids and money laundering are also contemplated.

Fillipelli remains in detention in the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa