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Feds Indict Eight in Crackdown on Alleged Bookie Ring25 February 2002CHICAGO -- Feb. 23, 2002 -- As reported by the Associated Press: ``Eight men were indicted on federal charges of operating a bookmaking ring whose members kept records on water soluble paper and held meetings in the hush of a suburban cemetery. ``William D. DiDomenico, who pleaded guilty to gambling in 1991 when prosecutors broke up a bookie operation headed by Cicero mob boss Ernest "Rocco" Infelice, was among those named in the indictment, which was returned Thursday and unsealed Friday. ``Each was charged with one count of conspiracy to conduct an illegal gambling business and one count of conducting an illegal gambling business. The indictment said they accepted bets on college and professional football and basketball games and professional baseball. ``According to the indictment, the ring maintained betting records on rice paper that was water soluble, making them more difficult for the government to maintain as evidence, federal prosecutors said. ``...Randall Samborn, a federal spokesman, said the two met in the cemetery because they were worried about being overheard and possibly recorded, and the isolated setting `afforded them a measure of privacy.' Defense attorney John Theis ... said: `The defendants have all pled not guilty.' ``...Federal officials said the defendants recruited bettors, set betting lines, rules and limits, set up betting offices and hired telephone clerks to take bets and relay betting lines to other bookies..." |