Adam Green, is one of six men were accused of racketeering and fraud for allegedly… (handout, Sun Sentinel
Original story http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-12-06/news/fl-illegal-gambling-operation-20131206_1_money-laundering-adam-green-gambling
Undercover agents in Broward and Palm Beach counties infiltrated a major illegal gambling and money-laundering operation as part of a one-year investigation that led to arrest warrants for 12 people, officials said.
Among those arrested Thursday was Adam Green, 52, of Boca Raton, who officials identified as the ringleader of the bookmaking, racketeering and money-laundering network.
Investigators with the Broward Sheriff’s Office released only a few details about the investigation, dubbed "Operation Gotham City," and sealed the arrest warrants because five of the 12 people targeted were still at large Friday evening, officials said.
The enterprise operated out of five states and Central America and primarily consisted of illegal gambling and money laundering through various banks, said agency spokeswoman Gina Carter.
The Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale Police Departments assisted in the investigation.
In asking for a substantial bond amount, Broward Assistant State Attorney Kristi MacKenzie said Friday that Green had about 12 "agents" working for him and counted on a clientele of at least 100 betters. An undercover agent managed to place about $160,000 in bets through Green’s enterprise, she said.
Green’s attorney, Greg Lauer, argued that the $750,000 suggested bond was excessive, saying the allegations were unlike other types of racketeering, such as drug dealing.
"They were not selling drugs, there were no guns involved," Lauer argued. "Guys betting on sports is what’s being alleged here. If we were in a different jurisdiction, this would be 100 percent legal."
Broward Court Judge John "Jay" Hurley transferred the cases to a different judge, who will ultimately decide the bond conditions for each man.
Also arrested were: Jordan Brown, 24, of Coral Springs; Emilio Colon, 32, of Margate; Mark Ruggiero, 42, of Pompano Beach, Sean Barnes, 34, of Delray Beach; Rehan Kazi, 45, of Pembroke Pines and Eric Spinosa, 36, of Boca Raton.
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