PHILADELPHIA – The Mastronardo Bookmaking Organization, a notorious sports betting syndicate, saw two of its members locked away today as U.S. District Court Judge Jan E. DuBois sentenced them for their roles in a multi-million dollar racketeering enterprise. John Vito Mastronardo Jr., 59, from Boca Raton, Florida, was handed nine months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine. He had pleaded guilty to conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise (RICO), conducting an illegal gambling business, and money laundering.
Joseph F. Mastronardo, 33, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, was also sentenced to five months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $5,000 fine for his involvement. Joseph F. Mastronardo’s father, Joseph Vito Mastronardo Jr., was the head of the operation.
The Mastronardo Bookmaking Organization reached its zenith with over 1,000 bettors placing bets on football, baseball, basketball, golf, horse racing, and more through websites like www.betroma.com and www.betrose.com. The organization raked in millions annually until law enforcement shut it down. In 2006 and 2010, authorities seized over $2.1 million from Joseph Vito Mastronardo Jr., uncovering hidden compartments and buried PVC pipes filled with cash.
In total, 16 defendants faced charges, with all but one pleading guilty. Charges against Joanna Mastronardo were dropped, and the court ordered the forfeiture of approximately $3.7 million in assets. Sentencing for 12 more defendants is pending.
The investigation was a joint effort by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations, Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and the District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason P. Bologna and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Kelly Pearson prosecuted the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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