3 charged with gambling, liquor violations

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Charges have been filed against three city men accused of paying off gambling machines and serving liquor without a license at a local club.
Donald "Ducky" Conti Jr. 49, of East Home Street, James L. Hiler, 56, Hanna Street, and Ralph Alberico, 42, of West Northview Avenue, are each charged with violations of Pennsylvania's gambling and liquor laws.
According to affidavits filed to support the charges, New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone received information about illegal gambling and liquor sales at a club located at 630 E. Washington St., called Vita Nuova.
The chief checked with the liquor control board and discovered the club did not have a liquor license. He then contacted an employee of the state parole board and asked that an undercover agent go into Vita Nuova, court papers said.
The agent first went to the club March 18, where he bought three beers with money furnished by the city police department, the affidavit shows.
Court papers said the agent met Hiler who told him the money was a donation. The cost was $1.50 for regular beer and more for premium beer. The agent noticed signs advertising beer specials, the affidavit stated.
Hiler gave the agent a tour of the club, showing him a room near the bar area where four video poker machines were located, the affidavit stated.