NEW YORK — Five members of the Mafia have pleaded guilty to serious charges including racketeering, money laundering, and illegal gambling linked to an underground betting operation in New York City.
The accused belong to the Lucchese organized crime family and admitted to orchestrating a substantial gambling enterprise that reportedly generated millions in illegal profits every year.
Anthony Villani, a soldier within the Lucchese family, accepted a plea deal on Thursday, agreeing to forfeit $4 million. According to federal prosecutors, Villani has been operating Rhino Sports, an online betting platform since the early 2000s, employing Mafia associates to manage local betting operations.
The illegal gambling ring primarily thrived in the Bronx and Westchester County, servicing between 400 to 1,300 bettors each week and accumulating at least $1 million in annual revenue.
"Illegal gambling operations necessitate protection against rival mob factions, often under threat of violence," stated the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. "However, the defendants cannot evade accountability as our team of prosecutors and investigators work tirelessly to ensure justice is served."
Villani could face a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted. Meanwhile, four additional co-defendants have recently pleaded guilty to federal charges tied to this scheme, while one defendant remains at large.
