Eight charged in $35M gambling ring

By Chau Lam Staff Writer October 15, 2004 Eight people from Long Island and New York City who took part in an illegal betting operation that brought in at least $35 million a year were arrested Thursday, Nassau District Attorney Denis Dillon said. The head of the gambling ring, Leonard Catalano, 47, known as "Smalls" and "The Bearded One," ran the business from his home at 84 Madison Ave. in Roslyn Heights, Dillon said in a news conference. Prosecutors said the gambling ring may have existed for as long as 20 years. "In addition, we discovered that Catalano allegedly supervised numerous agents and subagents -- runners, that is -- and had in excess of 2,500 active bettors betting through his organization," Dillon said. Types of gaming ranged from betting on sports events, such as football and baseball, to playing casino-style games, Dillon said. He said some clients were provided with account numbers and passwords that allowed them to place bets via the Internet. Others placed their bets by calling a toll-free telephone number. People working in Costa Rica and Curacao, where gambling is legal, accepted the bets. But Dillon said money was collected and paid out in New York, where gambling is illegal unless sanctioned by the government. Besides Catalano, prosecutors said, also arrested were: Christopher Murray, 62, of 15 Highwood Rd., Setauket, Catalano's business partner; Scott Burger, 34, of 1603 Washington Ave., Bohemia, Catalano's accountant; Michael Silano, 51, of 46 Hewes St., Port Jefferson Station; John Trombino, 69, of 245-20 Grand Central Pkwy., Bellerose, who collected money for Catalano; Paul Silano, 35, a bookmaker, and his girlfriend, Lori Barecca, 39, both of 76-52 263rd St., Glen Oaks, Queens; and Henry Acierno, 50, of 26 Pouch Dr., Staten Island, a bookmaker. All but Barecca were charged with one count of first-degree promoting gambling, a crime punishable up to 4 years in prison. Barecca, who prosecutors said passed information vital to Paul Silano's bookmaking business, was charged with fourth-degree criminal facilitation, a misdemeanor punishable up to a year in jail. All pleaded not guilty and were released without bail. Murray's attorney, Patrick Broderick of Bayside, said his client is innocent. The other defendants and their attorneys could not be reached for comments. At Thursday's news conference, prosecutors played a videotape they said showed Catalano passing $25,000 in cash to Paul Silano in June when the men were attending a funeral. Police also had warrants to wiretap telephones used by Catalano and others.