PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island authorities say they’ve arrested 13 people in an alleged gambling operation that accepted about $130,000 worth of illegal sports bets in the past few months alone.
Rhode Island State Police and the state Attorney General’s Office say the arrests were made Tuesday morning and officials seized about $260,000 in cash, seven firearms, two vehicles and gambling evidence.
Authorities say the principal suspect in the operation is 53-year-old David Ayotte of North Smithfield, who has worked for the Woonsocket Parks and Recreation Department for two decades. Officials say Ayotte controlled the gambling enterprise and routinely conducted the illegal business at work.
Ayotte couldn’t be reached Wednesday. Phone listings for him are disconnected and it’s not clear if he has a lawyer.
Officials say the other people arrested were bookmakers.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
