Tuesday, May 17, 2005
The restaurant/bar operator can leave home to go to work.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
CLEVELAND -- U.S. District Judge Paul R. Matia wondered about Youngstown's ethics as he sentenced the operator of LaVilla Sports Bar and Grille in Struthers to two years' probation for sports bookmaking.
"I don't know what it is about Youngstown -- the water? It seems the only way to make money is fireworks or gambling," Judge Matia said Monday in federal court. "It seems like the whole community approves of gambling. The court wouldn't have much to do if it weren't for Youngstown."
Monday, Judge Matia sentenced Steve "Moose" Almasy, 67, of Poland to probation and fined him $10,000. Almasy must spend the first six months' of the sentence on electronically monitored home confinement. He can leave home for work and medical needs and religious services.
"I take full responsibility for my actions, I should have known better," Almasy, choking up, told the judge. "I had some problems. That's all."
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.
Sports bookmaking charges against two defendants were dismissed and the remaining 14 pleaded guilty.
In pushing for probation, Almasy's Mayfield Heights attorney, Dominic Vitantonio, told Judge Matia that his client has had some health problems, including overcoming prostate cancer. "The prognosis is not great," the lawyer said.
Vitantonio said Almasy and his wife of 40-plus years have a tight-knit family. He called his client a good candidate for probation.
Not a leader
When Almasy pleaded guilty in December 2004, he said his activities included assisting his son in the sports bookmaking business, sharing in the profits and, at times, collecting or making payments to bettors.
Matthew B. Kall, an assistant U.S. attorney, had requested that Almasy be considered a leader of the sports bookmaking operation. A leadership role would have meant a prison sentence in the 15 to 21-month range.
Judge Matia, after reviewing transcripts of conversations secretly recorded by the FBI of Almasy and his son, said he wasn't convinced that the elder Almasy was exercising supervision. The judge said the conversations sounded more like father-son patter.
Earlier this month, Steve Almasy's son, Kevin Almasy, 37, of 8 Midwood Circle, Boardman was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He also forfeited his house to the government.
Family affair
Judge Matia, after reading FBI transcripts of phone conversations, concluded that Kevin 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.
Judge Matia agreed with the government that Kevin Almasy had a leadership role in the sports bookmaking business.
The indictment, meanwhile, had asked for forfeiture of LaVilla and the liquor permit in the name of Sally Ann Almasy, doing business as LaVilla. Sally Ann Almasy is Steve Almasy's wife.
LaVilla is owned by Josephine Carabbia, according to Mahoning County records. She is a sister of Sally Ann Almasy.
Last December, Kall told Judge Matia that because the bar and liquor license are in "third party" ownership, the government cannot seize them.
The time frame in the indictment is November 10, 2001, through Jan. 20, 2002. The government said the gambling business remained in substantially continuous operation for more than 30 days and had a gross revenue of $2,000 in any single day.
meade@vindy.com