Four men in Stark County, Ohio, face substantial prison sentences for crimes including tax evasion, illegal gambling, money laundering and conspiracy after a federal investigation.
Christos Karasarides Jr., Ronald DiPietro and two others ran multiple illegal gambling businesses, including conducting illegal activities in a slot parlor, such as concealed ownership to evade taxes. The two other men involved, Thomas Helmick and Christopher Karasarides, also have also pleaded guilty. Helmick, involved as a nominal owner in the illegal operations, and Christopher Karasarides, who assisted in document falsification, are facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Between 2012 and 2017, Skilled Shamrock, primarily a slot machine venue, saw more than $34 million gambled with the owners retaining more than $7 million. To disguise illegal gains and avoid IRS collection efforts, Karasarides and DiPietro employed nominee owners and sham contracts. Karasarides owed the IRS more than $2 million in taxes from his gambling income and other businesses.
DiPietro, a certified public accountant, played a key role in helping Karasarides evade the IRS, including preparing misleading tax returns. Further, evidence presented at trial indicated that Karasarides conspired to launder money from his gambling businesses, complicating the IRS’s efforts to seize his property.
The pair used the proceeds to fund extravagant lifestyles, including buying luxury vehicles and property, and indulging in high-stakes gambling trips. Authorities seized significant amounts of cash from their properties, reflecting the scale of their operations.
Sentencing for Karasarides and DiPietro is scheduled for May 1, with Karasarides facing up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering and additional years for various other charges. DiPietro faces up to five years in prison for each of the major counts against him.
Another man involved in the Skilled Shamrock slot tall, Larry Dayton, was sentenced to three years in prison in Florida in December 2022.
