|
Gambling Scandal conspicuously linked to NHL
James Harney, a 40 year old former New Jersey State Trooper,
pleaded guilty yesterday to the charges of running an illegal
gambling ring. The Ring apparently bets on NHL games. The reason
the case is so high profile is because of the connection of the
participants to the National Hockey League.
Among the alleged participants are actress Janet Jones who is the
wife of Hockey Legend Wayne Gretski, and a handful of NHL players.
Former Hockey star Rick Tocchet has been charged with helping
to run the gambling ring along side Harney and a third gentlemen
James Ulmer. NHL officials are claiming that there were no bets
made on hockey games.
It
is speculated that Harney and Tocchet met in the early nineties.
Tocchet was playing for the Philadelphia flyers and Harney was the
Bartender at a local bar near the Stadium. Both gentlemen resigned
from their current occupations due to the recent charges.
Harney has admitted to being humbled by this experience. As apart
of his punishment he must give up $700,000 in both money and
possessions. Harney's ex-wife and children have been dealt a great
blow from these recent events. However, because Harney has plead
guilty, he will not face the usual sentence of 25 years in prison.
He will endure a reduced sentence of seven years. Along with the
plea bargain, he has committed himself to aiding in the
investigation of Tocchet's involvement in the gambling ring.
The NHL will emerge from this scandal unscratched, as there is no
solid connection between the league and the illegal gambling ring.
Wayne Gretski has denied any involvement whatsoever in the
betting, and it would seem that his wife will most likely avoid
any criminal charges.
It
is hard to believe that the league had no involvement, after all
Harney did benefit a great deal from his dealings. The police
confiscated flat screen televisions and seven watches from this
single mans possessions as a part of the court's imposed fine.
Also, the investigation, called "Operation Slap s\Shot", yielded
evidence which suggests over a 1,000 bets were placed which were
estimated at a little over 1.7 million dollars.
No
doubt Harney will have lot of time to think about the mess has
made for himself.
-Current
Online Casino News-
-August
News-
|
