08:24
17 Mar

Operators of an illegal gambling website and an underground poker room that allegedly pulled in more than $10 million in five years of operation were busted following seven months of undercover surveillance by a trio of law enforcement agencies.

Also snared in the sting was a New York State Police sergeant, Thomas Loewke, who attempted to inform the gambling ring of the investigation. Charged with federal corruption and obstruction, Loewke is believed by prosecutors to have a gambling problem.

sport700.com

Seven men who were illegally running sport700.com and the poker network are facing a number of charges in conjunction with the arrests. Dominic Sprague and Louis P. Ferrari II were alleged to be the leaders of the crew and each, along with Tommaso Sessa, was charged with conspiracy and operating an illegal gambling operation.

Four underlings, Joseph Boscarino, Anthony Amato, James Cilvetti and Joseph Lomardo were arrested for conspiracy and transmission of wagering information. All seven men hail from Rochester, New York.

The Department of Homeland Security, Rochester Police Department, and the New York State Police Department all worked together to nail the suspects. Surveillance, wire taps, and undercover cops posing as gamblers were used in the sting.

Ferrari was hit with an additional charge of money laundering. Law enforcement alleges that he laundered the poker room and sport700.com’s ill-gotten gains through his construction business.