Borrelli sentenced in gambling case

https://www.gpwa.org/forum/images/im...113cmetro2.jpg






Paul Borrelli, one of three men involved in an offshore sports gambling operation, was sentenced to eight months of home confinement, a judgment of $1.2 million against him, and three years of supervised released in federal court Tuesday.


Borrelli, who was convicted of illegal gambling and money laundering, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci.

Borrelli, 70, of Greece, along with brothers Mark and Joseph Ruff, owned, at least partially, and operated an Internet sports gambling business and set up online accounts with user names and passwords for bettors, set credit limits and received cash payments for debtors and bettors, according to a plea agreement that was reached in April.


"I know I could say sorry, but I'm old school," Borrelli said in an apology to the court, citing the deep hurt he inflicted on his daughter and three grandchildren. "Sorry is just a word. Actions speak louder than words."


https://www.gpwa.org/forum/images/im...terestraid.jpg





Vincent Merante, Borrelli's attorney, said that the last 15 months have been like an avalanche for his client. "This avalanche has been costly and difficult for Mr. Borrelli."


Geraci noted in his comments that Borelli "built the hill that eventually caused this avalanche."
Borrelli and Joseph Ruff managed the Marina Restaurant and Bar, 4786 Lake Ave., in Charlotte that was raided by
authorities in June 2014. They used the restaurant to receive cash payments of wagers, prosecutors said.


Joseph Ruff, 33, was sentenced to 41 months in April for his role in extorting $230,000 from National Hockey League star Thomas Vanek, who previously played for the Rochester Americans and Buffalo Sabres.


Mark Ruff, 40, was sentenced to nine years in March.


Borrelli declined to comment to the media after leaving the courthouse, but Merante said, "It's been a very traumatic event for Mr. Borrelli. We're glad it's over. We're happy with the sentence. As you know, we got three years of probation when it could've been as high as five. He got no fine. He forfeited an enormous amount of property and money and eight months home detention."


Merante said that Borrelli, who had multiple properties seized in the plea agreement, is currently looking for work.
"I think he learned that his mistake, that it's affected his whole family, not just himself. He's pretty disappointed in himself, but he's the kind of guy with a work ethic and the heart of a bull. He'll move forward and he'll succeed."

Borrelli requested that he not wear an electronic ankle monitoring device during his home confinement, because he suffers from gout and psoriasis.

Source : http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...case/71885020/