Man gets prison in bookmaking case

A priest in Struthers wrote a letter of support to the federal judge.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
CLEVELAND -- Bookmaking has cost Kevin Almasy his house, his marriage and 15 months of freedom.
Almasy, 37, of 8 Midwood Circle, Boardman, appeared Wednesday in federal court for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Paul R. Matia. In December 2004, Almasy reached a plea agreement with the government and pleaded guilty to operating a sports bookmaking business.
The judge took a 90-minute break in the sentencing hearing to review transcripts of FBI-wiretapped phone conversations to determine whether Almasy had a leadership role in the bookmaking business that centered on LaVilla Sports Bar & amp; Grille in Struthers. Almasy's father, who operates LaVilla, will be sentenced next week.
"The calls show his leadership role," Matthew B. Kall, an assistant U.S. attorney, told the judge. "He was the supervisor over the other participants."
The indictment, filed in May 2004, originally involved 16 defendants. The FBI, using wiretaps and surveillance, tied the group to LaVilla, 812 Youngstown-Poland Road.
Charges against two defendants were dismissed, and the remaining 14 pleaded guilty. The five sentenced so far, aside from Almasy, each received two years' probation.
Argument
Almasy's Mayfield Village attorney, George Argie III, argued that there was a "division of labor" between his client and another defendant, Todd Yallech 36, of East Huntington Drive, Boardman. Argie said Almasy was not the boss.
Judge Matia, after reading the transcripts, concluded that Almasy did direct others, including his wife, who hid betting slips and cash at their home. The charge against her was dismissed in lieu of a diversion program.
A leadership role means more prison time.
Judge Matia sentenced Almasy to 15 months in prison, followed by two years' supervised release, during which he must participate in drug and alcohol outpatient programs. The judge also fined him $2,310, the amount of cash seized during a raid.
The sentencing range was 15 to 21 months.
"I take responsibility for my actions," Almasy told the judge. "I have turned my life around in the last year and a half."
Argie said in court that, as a result of the indictment, Almasy and his wife, who have three children, are in the process of divorce. The lawyer also pointed out that their house will be forfeited.
Almasy's plea agreement had called for him to forfeit $25,000 to the government in lieu of his house. He didn't pay, so the judge ordered Wednesday that the house be forfeited.
The house on Midwood Circle has a market value of $107,700, county records show.
Argie said in court that Almasy and his father were singled out for selective prosecution because of their relationship to Ronald D. Carabbia and his son, Ronald A. Carabbia.
LaVilla is owned by Josephine Carabbia, according to Mahoning County records. She is the wife of organized crime figure Ronald D. Carabbia and a sister of Sally Ann Almasy, Kevin Almasy's mother.
Ronald D. Carabbia spent nearly 25 years in prison for the car-bombing death of a rival mobster. He was released from prison Sept. 24, 2002.
Argie, quoting an affidavit, said the FBI believed the younger Carabbia operated a large-scale gambling operation and used Kevin Almasy and others to answer phones. Argie said the government theory was that the smaller gambling business was controlled by Carabbia's larger business.
The lawyer said "apparently" the government couldn't develop enough evidence to support the theory. No charges were filed against Ronald A. Carabbia.
'Insulted'
Kall said he was "a little bit insulted" by the selective prosecution allegation. The federal prosecutor said Almasy supervised other bookmakers and, in one month, $300,000 in bets were placed on his phone.
Among the handful of letters of support, meanwhile, sent to Judge Matia was one from the Rev. Philip Rogers, pastor at St. Nicholas Church in Struthers.
"I have known Kevin and his family for many years now, both as their pastor and their friend," he wrote. "I am very sure that his family and his community would be served by showing great leniency. Please take this into account."
Argie asked Judge Matia to allow Almasy to report to prison after July 4. The lawyer explained that his client has a financial interest in a fireworks business and needs to be around for the busy holiday.
The judge granted the request. He will notify the Bureau of Prisons that Almasy should be incarcerated after July 4, no later than July 15.
Almasy remains free on $10,000 unsecured bond.
meade@vindy.com