Tocchet avoids jail time in gambling ring plea

National Hockey League News

Aug 17, 2007, 16:25 GMT

Mount Holly, NJ - Former NHL player Rick Tocchet was sentenced Friday to two years probation for running an illegal sports gambling ring.Tocchet, who is currently on indefinite leave from his job as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes, pleaded guilty in May to charges of conspiracy and promoting gambling, both in the third degree. He was sentenced by Burlington County Superior Court Judge Thomas Smith.Under New Jersey law, third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and third-degree gambling offenses also carry a fine of up to $25,000. The sentence was left to the discretion of the court.'Today's sentence reflects the fact that Mr. Tocchet is a first-time offender,' said New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram. 'But make no mistake, he is paying a heavy price for his foray into the world of illegal bookmaking. He now must live with the stigma and consequences of being a convicted felon.'Tocchet was the third man to plead guilty in the case, which New Jersey authorities named 'Operation Slapshot.' Former New Jersey state trooper James Harney and a third man, James Ulmer, also admitted they were partners in the gambling operation.Harney was sentenced to five years in state prison by Judge Smith on August 3 after pleading guilty to second-degree conspiracy, second-degree official misconduct and third-degree promoting gambling.Ulmer is scheduled to be sentenced on August 24. He pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy and promoting gambling for bringing in bets for the ring.According to the New Jersey State Police Organized Crime Bureau, the investigation began in October of 2005 and revealed a sports betting system that processed more than 1,000 wagers that exceeded a total of $1.7 million on professional and collegiate sporting events during a 40-day period.Tocchet was identified by the State Police as being the alleged partner and financier of Harney.The clientele of the ring included professional athletes, past and present, and celebrities. Janet Jones, the wife of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, was accused of betting but was not charged in the case.'By partnering in this illegal gambling enterprise, Mr. Tocchet let down many people, including the fans who held him in high esteem and the friends from whom he took money,' said Criminal Justice Director Gregory Paw. 'Today's sentence appropriately resolves this criminal matter.'Tocchet, who played for Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington and Phoenix in a lengthy career, registered 440 goals and 952 points in 1,144 regular-season games.© 2007 The Sports Network

View blog reactions

Latest Headlines in National Hockey League

Talkback

There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)

Latest from M&C Blogs

Second presidential debate; no 'gamechanger' ? - Global Eye on October 8, 2008 5:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Debate: did McCain do enough? - Global Eye on September 29, 2008 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBacks (1)

Should Sen. John McCain's health records be made public? - Global Eye on September 15, 2008 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (53) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival - Estomago - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival : It's Hard To Be Nice - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

London Film Festival - Dean Spanley - London Calling on October 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Devotee to Chinese Shrine of Sapam has face pierced - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indian Muslims offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

National Hockey League

Tocchet avoids jail time in gambling ring plea

National Hockey League News

Latest Headlines in National Hockey League

Talkback

Latest from M&C Blogs

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print