The indictment was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Richmond. According to this legal document, several members allegedly involved in the illegal activities are linked to the notorious Gambino crime family, one of the five “traditional” organized crime syndicates that have historically held a significant presence in New York and across the United States.
“The other four families are the Bonanno crime family, Colombo crime family, Genovese crime family, and Lucchese crime family,” the indictment states. “These families constitute a criminal network variously known as ‘the Mafia,’ ‘the Mob,’ and ‘La Cosa Nostra.'”
Among the accused, three individuals—John J. LaForte, Anthony J. Cinque Jr., and John Matera—are said to have taken on leadership roles within the alleged criminal operation. They are accused of having delegated the activities related to illegal loansharking and gambling to Edward A. LaForte, who has associations with the Gambino family. Edward was reportedly supported by other Gambino and Colombo associates and additional participants.
The indictment spells out the level of activity managed by Edward A. LaForte. Between September 15, 2022, and March 29, 2023, the enterprise reportedly accumulated 70 bettors who placed a staggering $22.7 million in illegal bets through Edward A. LaForte’s master agent betting account. These wagers were funneled through www.ubet1288.com, an illegal gambling platform.
A series of specific dates throughout 2022 and 2023 are listed in the indictment, where multiple defendants are charged with the crime of Promoting Gambling in the First Degree. On several different occasions, the defendants allegedly accepted or received upwards of five bets totaling more than $5,000 each.
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In his accused managerial role, Edward LaForte reportedly supervised sheetholders and bettors. His responsibilities allegedly included assigning each individual a unique combination of account username and password. Furthermore, Edward LaForte is accused of paying the illegal gambling website to ensure continuous access for his bettors and sheetholders.
The indictment identifies ten individuals as sheetholders, individuals who are responsible for managing bets and collections from individual players. These sheetholders reported directly to Edward LaForte, bringing any issues related to the bettors to his attention. They were also tasked with collecting losses and disbursing winnings to players. Edward LaForte was further accused of ensuring that the proceeds from the illegal gambling operation were transferred to John LaForte and Anthony J. Cinque Jr.
As these legal proceedings unfold, New York state is simultaneously grappling with broader gambling-related issues. Last month, plans for a downstate New York casino project were thrust into uncertainty after Senator Jessica Ramos voiced her opposition to a proposal put forth by billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen.
Cohen’s ambitious plan involves an $8 billion development, dubbed Metropolitan Park, to be constructed at Citi Field, the stadium of the New York Mets, located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The proposal is in partnership with Hard Rock International and envisions an extensive entertainment complex, including a Hard Rock hotel, various gaming facilities, and a live music venue.
However, Senator Ramos has made it clear she will not introduce the necessary legislation to downgrade existing parkland in Corona, a critical step needed for the site’s renovation into a casino. “We want investment and opportunity,” Ramos emphasized. “We are desperate for green space and recreation for the whole family. We disagree on the premise that we have to accept a casino in our backyard as the trade-off.”
The opposition from Ramos has cast significant doubt on the feasibility of Cohen’s casino project, which proponents argue could bring substantial economic benefits and job opportunities to the area. Nonetheless, the debate highlights the delicate balance between development and community needs, a conversation familiar in many parts of New York.
As developments unfold in both the criminal and gambling sectors, these cases underscore the complex interplay of legality, economic development, and organized crime in one of the nation’s most dynamic states. Whether the indicted individuals will face convictions and how the city’s gambling landscape will evolve remain critical questions looming over New York’s immediate future.
