Mob Associate from Little Egg Harbor Sentenced in Online Gambling Case

An admitted Genovese crime family associte from Little Egg Harbor who pleaded guilty to a role in an illegal online gambling enterprise is sentenced to 38 months in prison.

John Breheney, also known as "Fu," had previously pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and tax evasion, according to information from the office of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman. He was ordered to serve three years supervised release, forfeit $400,000 and pay a $16,000 fine.

At the same sentencing in Newark, Patsy Pirozzi, 75, of Suffern, New York, was handed 22 months for his guilty plea to violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute. He was ordered to serve three years supervised release and forfeit $31,400.

Eric Patten, 37, of Bayonne, pleaded guilty to RICO violation conspiracy and could be given up to 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for December 3 of this year.

Breheney confessed to strong-arming money out of gamblers with losses incurred on Beteagle.com, centered in Costa Rica. Joseph Graziano, 77, and Dominick J. Barone, 44, of Springfield, NJ, were identified by investigators as the owner and day-to-day manager, respectively, acting on orders of Joseph Lascala, 80, of Monroe. Authorities describe Lascala as an alleged capo and a made member of the Genovese family.

The operation predated the advent of sanctioned Internet-based gambling, investigators said. Bettors were given user names and passwords, and paid debts, in person. Failure to cover losses exposed gamblers to threats of violence, investigators said.

Salvatore Turchio, 48, of Little Egg Harbor, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and awaits sentencing along with seven others.