Commentary

Mob Story- by Greg Strid

It appears that the mob is alive and well- at least in New Jersey.
The Star Ledger ran a front page story two days in a row this
week about a massive betting ring that was broken up by the
New Jersey Attorney General’s office.

Over two dozen members or “associates” (I assume that the latter
is not entitled to full health and dental benefits) of the Lucchese
crime family were arrested and charged with running a $2.2 billion
illegal betting enterprise. It was quite the elaborate operation,
utilizing the latest in web technology, old-fashioned and reliable
800 numbers, word of mouth marketing, and of course, the very
real threat of bodily harm.

A total of 32 people were snared in the Attorney General’s netting.
The charges included the standard fair for such activity: racketeering,
money laundering and promoting gambling. The Star Ledger
reported that several guns, a respectable number of fancy, low-
mileage supertanker-like SUVs and large wads of depreciated
dollars were confiscated during the busts.

The Lucchese family and their “associates” appeared to be
steering a very disciplined business venture. They charged a
vig (or commission, the term my broker would prefer) that
ranged from 1.5 to 5 percent of the bets wagered. Pure genius-
they made money no matter the ultimate fortunes of the
gamblers (my broker would prefer to refer to them as clients)
who actually placed the bets.

Unfortunately, this story was not all gambling, guns, crude
threats, double chins, and sweat suits passing as business
attire. The Lucchese family allegedly formed a business alliance
with a charming fellow named Edwin Spears, described as a
“five star general” for the Bloods street gang, who is serving
time at East Jersey State Prison.

Apparently, the old-school mobsters were acting as bankers
for the new-school thugs. The money earned from the gambling
ring was used to bankroll Mr. Spears’ purchases of drugs, cell
phones and ipods. (At least one prison official assisted by
smuggling the contraband into the prison.)

This is why many people say that illegal gambling is not a
victimless crime. In this instance, criminals were getting rich
while being able to orchestrate crimes- all while receiving
“three hots and a cot”. I say: bullshit. There is obviously a
huge desire to wager on sporting events. As with the appetite
for drugs, demand will be satisfied if there is a profit to be
made. Shutting down one gambling operation makes for nice
headlines, but a new outfit will step in soon because the
demand is still alive and well. And, the money generated from
illegal gambling will be used to finance new criminal ventures.

Let’s just allow the people to gamble on sports with the blessing
of the state. No one stands in my way when I want to place a
wager on the fate of the stock market. Why should it be different
for those who want the Giants plus-five?

©Greg Strid 2007

© 2007 Splendid Marbles.