Feds: Defendants Used MMA Fighters To Collect Poker DebtsKirill Rapoport, Arthur Zen Plead Guilty In Far-Reaching Case |
|
Some juicy details from the high-rolling gambling bust that snagged 34 individuals in April came out this week, shedding light on how debts were allegedly collected.
According to reports, Kirill Rapoport and Arthur Zen have pleaded guilty to their involvment in the ring that included sports betting and poker. The aforementioned two allegedly were involved in making sure people paid and used mixed martial arts fighters on at least one occasion to “scare gamblers”, NBC reported from a New York Daily News article.
This information came out in the court proceedings.
“On Oct. 5, 2012, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents observed the [Rapoport], Azen and two mixed martial arts fighters go to meet with a player in Azen’s poker games, who based on earlier interceptions appeared to be delinquent in paying Azen’s debts,” a court document said.
It also stated that the NYPD intervened because authorities were worried that the person who had the gambling debt would be injured. The amount was $35,000 to $40,000.
“[Rapoport’s] role in the offense was serious. He was not a dealer or a bartender,” the letter added. “His job was to make sure that bettors at Azen’s illegal poker games and bettors of Azen’s sports book paid their debts.”
Rapoport’s plea deal calls for six to 12 months in prison for the offense of running poker games in Manhattan. Azen admitted last month to money laundering conspiracy and extortionate credit collection. They both await sentencing in the Empire State.
The April indictment also named WPT champ Vadim Trincher, who pleaded guilty last month.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
