MAHONING COUNTY Beshara and Milano reach plea agreements in gambling case

The bookies often accepted bets in excess of $2,000 in a single day.
CLEVELAND -- Two bookies pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling business, and one of them identified Steve Almasy -- operator of LaVilla Sports Bar & amp; Grille in Struthers -- as part of the group.
Ronald Beshara, 52, of Catawba Drive, Canfield, and Richard Milano, 46, of Neoka Drive, Campbell, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court. Judge Paul R. Matia set sentencing for Jan. 3.
What they face
Beshara and Milano each face six to 12 months in prison, which makes them eligible for a portion of the sentence to be spent in home detention. They remain free on bond.
The men reached plea agreements with the government, represented by Matthew B. Kall, an assistant U.S. attorney. The case was investigated by the FBI.
In May, a federal grand jury indicted 15 men and one woman, including Almasy, who goes by "Moose," accusing them of running sports bookmaking operations. All pleaded innocent and were released on unsecured signature bonds pending trial, set for Dec. 13.
Milano's plea agreement shows that he regularly accepted bets, often in excess of $2,000 in a single day, on numerous sporting events, including college and professional football. He said he often placed so-called "layoff" bets with other bookmakers, including Almasy and seven others under indictment.
Beshara's plea agreement says he placed "layoff" bets with two codefendants. He, too, regularly accepted bets, often in excess of $2,000 in a single day.
Wiretapped conversations
FBI wiretapped conversations show that some bettors and bookmakers were told to meet at LaVilla on Youngstown-Poland Road. The FBI said fruits of the gambling operation, including cash, were kept at the home of Almasy, 66, of Poland.
In one month, illegal sports bookmakers with ties to the bar took in $2.5 million in bets, the FBI said.
With Beshara and Milano, six out of 16 have pleaded guilty. Earlier this month, Todd Yallech of Boardman; William McCullough of North Lima; James Donghia of Bessemer, Pa.; and Frank Daltorio of Boardman; pleaded guilty.
Donghia and Daltorio will be sentenced Dec. 23. McCullough will be sentenced Jan. 3 and Yallech will be sentenced Jan. 4.
Federal sentencing guidelines show that, with acceptance of responsibility, they, too, face six to 12 months in prison.
The indictment, among other properties, asks for forfeiture of LaVilla Sports Bar & amp; Grille; the liquor permit in the name of Sally Ann Almasy, doing business as LaVilla. Steve and Sally Ann Almasy are married.
LaVilla, 812 Youngstown-Poland Road, is owned by Josephine Carabbia, according to Mahoning County records. She is a sister of Sally Ann Almasy.