By Ryan Haggerty, Globe Correspondent | August 1, 2007
A Middlesex County grand jury indicted seven men yesterday on charges of running a large illegal sports gambling business, which took thousands of dollars in bets per week on college and professional football games.
"The State Police investigation uncovered what we allege to be a substantial illegal gambling ring in Middlesex County, and we believe these indictments are a significant step towards dismantling this group," Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr. said through a spokesman.
The ring was allegedly operated by Joseph Russo, 52, of Malden, who authorities accused of accepting bets gathered by at least six agents. Russo declined to comment when reached by telephone yesterday.
The Middlesex district attorney's office said that each of Russo's agents was responsible for particular gamblers.
If their gamblers lost, the agents would earn a commission, while Russo would take more than half of the money, the district attorney's office said.
If a gambler won, Russo would pay, prosecutors said.
Russo is also accused of "laying off" a portion of the bets he accepted to Steven Contrada, 52, of Wilmington and other suspected bookmakers, the district attorney's office said.
State Police discovered a small amount of heroin and seized bank accounts containing $35,000 in cash and $90,000 in savings bonds after searching Russo's house, the district attorney's office said.
Corey Welford, spokesman for Leone's office, could not say exactly how much income the ring was pulling in.
Russo was charged with organizing or promoting gambling, keeping a place for registering bets, using a telephone for gambling, and possession of a Class A substance.
Contrada and five other men were charged with conspiracy to organize or promote gaming, conspiracy to keep a place for registering bets, and use of a telephone for gambling.
The other suspects were identified as Donald Terminiello, 66, of Everett; Salvatore DeAngelis, 51, of Revere; John Miccichi, 53, of Malden; Sumner Boches, 77, of Billerica; and Arcangelo DiFronzo, 75, of Medford.
The suspects are scheduled to be arraigned later this month in Middlesex Superior Court.
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