Coyotes' Tocchet implicated in sports gambling ring

[The Commish]

Associated Press

EWING, N.J. -- Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet financed a nationwide sports gambling ring in which about a dozen current NHL players placed bets, authorities said Tuesday.


Tocchet, a former NHL star, was served with a criminal complaint Monday and was expected to travel from his Arizona home to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, state police Col. Rick Fuentes said.


Fuentes said an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million, on professional and college sports, mostly football and baseball. He declined to identify the NHL players who made wagers.


Authorities said Tocchet and state police Trooper James J. Harney were partners in the operation, with the ex-NHL forward providing the financing.


A message left with the Coyotes' media office in Arizona was not immediately returned. The Coyotes were home Tuesday night against Chicago.


Tocchet, one of three associate coaches on the Coyotes' staff, took over the head coaching duties for 10 days in December while Wayne Gretzky was away to be with his dying mother.


The 41-year-old Tocchet played 18 years with six teams, including three seasons with the Coyotes from 1997-00. He is one of only two players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes during his career.


The 40-year-old Harney was arrested Monday. The eight-year police veteran was charged in an arrest warrant with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy. Another man accused of taking bets is James A. Ulmer, 40, who was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.


Both men were free on bail. They are expected to be arraigned within two weeks.

 

[BillsCarnage]

I just saw that too.. Crazy. What else can go wrong with this franchise now?

Makes ya wonder why the ownership group is a mess.

 

[The Commish]

Now Gretzky's wife, Janet Jones, has been implicated in this. Apparently she was placing non-sports bets. I just want to know what she was betting on. Survivor? Desparate Housewives? What happens next on 24? This just keeps getting better and better...

 

[Azlen]

Does this mean that Tocchet isn't going to be able to pay me on the Super Bowl bet I made with him?

 

[Lefty]

It's been nice knowing you Rick.

 

[HooverDam]

I guess Im going to sound like a fool, but why is this illegal? Why is it illegal for him to bet/run a betting ring for baseball and football? Its not like he is betting on the Coyotes and shaving points or throwing games. I never understood gambling as the ultimate evil in sports- murder, wife beating, drugs, etc all seem a hell of a lot worse to me.

Im not trying to be a smart ass- I honestly just dont "get" it.

 

[Scott MS]

I guess Im going to sound like a fool, but why is this illegal? Why is it illegal for him to bet/run a betting ring for baseball and football? Its not like he is betting on the Coyotes and shaving points or throwing games. I never understood gambling as the ultimate evil in sports- murder, wife beating, drugs, etc all seem a hell of a lot worse to me.

Im not trying to be a smart ass- I honestly just dont "get" it.

Well, in the grand scheme of things, forms of gambling is legal is several states and sports betting is legal is Nevada. On the contrary, murder and wife beatings are not legal anywhere.

I see your point, but the issue with players or coaches betting on professional sports is that it undermines the integrity of the game if they are betting on their own team or a situation that they can influence or control.

If leagues allowed betting, then nobody would follow sports. Every game would be fixed like the Steeler's Super Bowl victory.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I'm guessing Wayne' wife was placing Wayne's bets so that, if this ever came out, he could say he never placed a bet.

 

[sundevilscott]

I'm guessing Wayne' wife was placing Wayne's bets so that, if this ever came out, he could say he never placed a bet.

Bing Bing Bing!!!!

 

[MikeOnTheMic]

I'm guessing Wayne' wife was placing Wayne's bets so that, if this ever came out, he could say he never placed a bet.

Gretzky said "absolutely not" when asked if his wife had placed bets for him.

"I'm standing here trying to answer questions and it's not even me this is about," Gretzky said to reporters. "It's the frustrating hard part for me but I understand. I'm a big boy and you guys have a responsibility and a job to do and that's fine."


tsn.ca

 

[JerkFace]

I'm guessing Wayne' wife was placing Wayne's bets so that, if this ever came out, he could say he never placed a bet.

if wayne wanted to place the bets but not have it get back to him he would pick someone with more distance from him than his wife.

 

[Ryanwb]

I still want to know what a "non-sports" bet is.

 

[Scott MS]

I personally don't think Wayne Gretzky was involved. I think there was clearly betting, but nothing that underminded the integrity of the NHL.

 

[HooverDam]

I see your point, but the issue with players or coaches betting on professional sports is that it undermines the integrity of the game if they are betting on their own team or a situation that they can influence or control.

But they arent betting on NHL games or something they can control from what I heard. How is Jeremy Ronick betting on the NFL any different than me doing it? He cant controls the Steelers winning or losing. I can understand not being allowed to bet on your sport- but others?

Also, I doubt Gretzky was having his wife place his bets. What "non sporting" things would he want to bet on- American Idol?

 

[JerkFace]

But they arent betting on NHL games or something they can control from what I heard. How is Jeremy Ronick betting on the NFL any different than me doing it? He cant controls the Steelers winning or losing. I can understand not being allowed to bet on your sport- but others?

Also, I doubt Gretzky was having his wife place his bets. What "non sporting" things would he want to bet on- American Idol?

the only thing that was illegal is that they were using an illegal bookie (who may have ties with the mob) and they were sending money across state lines and not reporting the earnings to the irs.

 

[phillycard]

Tocchet was apparently involved in this with a state trooper (NJ/PA?). They raided the trooper's crib and found 12 rolex watches, a bunch of Razr cell phones, and 9 plasma tv's. 2 of which were in the bathroom! The dude was also apparently taking action while on duty, sometimes in his patrol car. Unbelievable.

 

[nathan]

I personally don't think Wayne Gretzky was involved. I think there was clearly betting, but nothing that underminded the integrity of the NHL.

Maybe not directly but I really doubt he didn't know what was going on.

 

[HooverDam]

the only thing that was illegal is that they were using an illegal bookie (who may have ties with the mob) and they were sending money across state lines and not reporting the earnings to the irs.

Well if thats the case, I honestly dont think it should tarnish any of these peoples images too much. It wont in my eyes. Thats a victimless crime, a crime against the state.

I just have a hard time with rules like this when they dont hurt anyone- but I wont get political as this isn't the place. All I can say is I hope the Coyotes come out of this OK

 

[Ryanwb]

Well if thats the case, I honestly dont think it should tarnish any of these peoples images too much. It wont in my eyes. Thats a victimless crime, a crime against the state.

I just have a hard time with rules like this when they dont hurt anyone- but I wont get political as this isn't the place. All I can say is I hope the Coyotes come out of this OK

There is no such thing as a victimless crime I don't think in such hyperbole. I'm sorry, but I don't report my income like an honest American so these people can get away with paying nothing. I hope they throw the book at everyone of them. If you want to pick up the extra tax burden, be my guest.....

 

[sly fly]

I've got one word for Tocchet, Gretzky, Barnett and that chick that played in that Police Academy movie...

... Bodog.com