GAMBLING ARRESTS Attorney: FBI tapped phones to build case
LaVilla bar is owned by the wife of a former organized crime figure, records show.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The FBI used wiretaps to build a sports bookmaking case against the operator of LaVilla Sports Bar & amp; Grill and 15 others, a defense attorney says.
The wiretaps "were probably on everyone's phones," said Youngstown attorney James S. Gentile. "Search warrants were issued years ago."
The time frame in the federal indictment unsealed Thursday is Nov. 10, 2001, through Jan. 20, 2002. The 16 defendants, accused of running sports bookmaking operations (college and professional football, mostly), were all affiliated with one another, said Matthew B. Kall, an assistant U.S. attorney.
Kall declined to say if the investigation is ongoing.
Gentile represents Kevin Almasy, 35, of 8 Midwood Circle, Boardman. Almasy was indicted along with his wife, Patrice Almasy, and his father, Steve Almasy, 66, of Country Lane, Poland. Steve Almasy, who goes by "Moose," operates LaVilla in Struthers.
The indictment asks for forfeiture of LaVilla Sports Bar & amp; Grill, 8 Midwood Circle, and the liquor permit in the name of Sally Ann Almasy, doing business as LaVilla. Sally Ann Almasy is Steve Almasy's wife.
Steve and Sally Ann Almasy are the parents of Youngstown City Prosecutor Dionne M. Almasy.
LaVilla, 812 Youngstown-Poland Road, is owned by Josephine Carabbia, according to Mahoning County records. She is the wife of former organized crime figure Ronald D. Carabbia and a sister of Sally Ann Almasy.
Ronald Carabbia spent nearly 25 years in prison for the car-bombing death of a rival mobster. He was released from prison Sept. 24, 2002.
Court appearances
Eleven of the 16 accused of sports bookmaking made their initial appearance Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court and pleaded innocent. Magistrate Judge George J. Limbert released them all on $10,000 unsecured signature bonds.
In addition to Kevin Almasy and Steve Almasy, these nine were in court:
* Richard Milano, 46, of Neoka Drive, Campbell.
* Frank Angelo, 48, of East Park Avenue, Hubbard.
* Ronald Beshara, 52, of Catawba Drive, Canfield.
* Richard Burnett, 57, of Runge Boulevard, Struthers.
* James Donghia, 34, of 12th Street, Bessemer, Pa.
* Angelo Mosco, 48, of Edenridge Drive, Boardman.
* Todd Yallech, 35, of East Huntington Drive, Boardman.
* Vito Yeropoli, 30, of Rich Avenue, Hillsville, Pa.
* John Yurko, 56, of Maple Ridge Drive, Boardman.
Kall said the remaining defendants will surrender Monday morning. They are Patrice Almasy, 33, of Midwood Circle, Boardman; Dennis Billec, 40, of Gertrude Avenue, Campbell; Frank Daltorio, 40, of Appleridge Circle, Boardman; William McCullough, 53, of Sharrott Road, Youngstown; and Joseph Vaio, 53, of Wilson Street, Struthers.
Daltorio, Milano and Vaio are also charged with destruction of property to prevent seizure.
Boardman attorney J. Gerald Ingram, who represents Daltorio and Donghia, said the penalty for violating gambling laws is up to five years in prison and $250,000 fine. A guilty plea and acceptance of responsibility would likely result in a sentence of 10 to 16 months, he said.
meade@vindy.com