One investigation spanned nine states, with illegal poker games allegedly taking place in glamorous locations like the Hamptons, Las Vegas, Miami, and Manhattan. A second looked at alleged betting based on insider information and faked injuries involving stars of the NBA.
There were high-tech machines to rig poker games, prosecutors say, in a move straight out of Hollywood. X-ray tables. Special sunglasses and contact lenses. A card dealing machine that gave away the hands of other players.
Then there were the high-profile names. Current and former NBA players and four of the five infamous New York Mafia families.
The criminal charges over alleged illegal betting and gambling that rocked the NBA in late October arose out of a years-long investigation involving multiple federal and local agencies.
