Retired New York Cop Faces Jail

Retired New York Cop Faces Jail

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

A retired policeman has fallen foul of the law in New York after being found guilty of running illegal poker games.

According to the New York Daily News, 55-year-old Ralph Mastrantonio faces up to five years in jail for his part in operating the Staten Island hold'em games which reportedly raked 'thousands per night'.

Assistant Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Matthew Miller told the jury, "You can't just open a casino in a commercial building in Staten Island and dealing cards in an unlicensed gambling business is illegal."

Authorities in the Big Apple began a sting operation in 2011 after being given a tip that an NYPD detective was fraternising with organized crime figures at illegal games. That detective, Richard Palase, pleaded guilty to running an unlawful game earlier this year.



Tags: New York, jail