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"Operation Slapshot" snags gambling ring
By Ralph A Gora and Amaury Pi Gonzalez Febraury 8, 2006 |
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Former 1987 Playboy playmate, actress, and wife of former NHL great Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones has been named as being involved in a nationwide sports gambling ring according to two New Jersey law enforcement officials who requested anonymity to the media. Phoenix Coyote’s assistant coach Rick Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint on Monday and was ordered to appear in New Jersey to answer to New Jersey authorities according to New Jersey State Police Col. Rick Fuentes. To make things more complicated as many as six NHL unnamed players have been tied to placing bets but not on hockey. When asked about turning himself in, Tocchet said he would answer to the questioning but would not answer if he would turn himself in. Fuentes said that an investigation that was named “Operation Slapshot”, involved a New Jersey based ring showed that there was processing of more than 1000 wagers which surpassed over $1.7 million on mostly football and basketball on the pro and college level. Tocchet did not work the Coyotes game at Glendale Arena against Chicago on Tuesday night.. Gretzky whose wife is in California talked with his wife Jones who said he spoke with her but would not divulge what was discussed regarding the gambling ring. Gretzky who worked behind the bench Tuesday night in the 3-1 loss to Chicago said of Tocchet, "everyone in the world is innocent until proven guilty. He's a great guy and a good friend. He's just going through a tough time right now, obviously, and we've got to let it run it's course. It's a situation that's obviously a concern for the organization at this point." said Gretzky whose also part owner of the Coyotes. "We understand that Mr.Tocchet's conduct in no way involved betting on hockey. And while betting on football and other sports maybe the pervasive issue, it no way justifies poor judgment or other wise allowed in appropriate conduct." said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. An eight year police veteran James Harney 40, was booked Monday for misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy. Police said that James Ulmer 40, was also arrested and charged with promoted gambling, money laundering and conspiracy. Both have posted bail. New Jersey State Police have seized $27,000 worth in cash, a large volume of sports betting information and bank account records with hundreds of thousands of dollars according to Fuentes. Harney had his house searched by Police and cops found $250,000 worth of Rolex watches, nine plasma-screen TV sets, Two of the TV sets were also found in Harney's bathroom. Leaving Glendale Arena on Monday it sounded like Tocchet was no longer part of the Coyotes although not official he said, "I feel bad for the Coyotes and stuff like that, but like I said (its) not hockey related issue and that's all I can comment. This not a hockey related issue. It's a football thing and at this time, I can't really comment on anything further." said Tocchet. Gretzky was asked if his wife place bets for him and he answered, "no." If Gretzky is implicated which he is not at this time amongst other issues his Hall of Fame status would be in serious jeopardy. Ralph Gora covers the San Jose Sharks and Stealth on the road and Amaury Pi Gonzalez writes a weekly column and both do voice work on 1110 KLIB Sacramento. |
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