Eight Broward county men are facing charges for their part in an illegal statewide internet gambling ring, according to a press release from Attorney General Pam Bondi's office.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Broward Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
The gambling ring used offshore sports betting websites in order to conduct illegal gambling and bookmaking activity, according to the release.
"they operate very much like salesmen, hooking the customer, allowing them to make bets on credit," BSO spokeswoman Gina Carter said. "So they actually approached our detectives, our detectives were then able to infiltrate."
Aside from offshore betting, the men were allegedly caught conducting hand-to-hand transactions to transfer cash.
“I applaud my Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Broward Sheriff’s Office for their hard work in shutting down this illegal gambling scheme,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in the release.
The following defendants are being charged in connection with the illegal gambling ring:
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• Erik Bishop, 35, Parkland
• Patsy Capolongo, 65, West Palm Beach
• Thomas Cuce, 32, Boca Raton
• Michael Dangelo, 58, Pompano Beach
• Allan Klein, 71, Margate
• Darren Klein, 36, Coral Springs
At his home in Margate Friday, Klein's wife said she was in shock.
"He's actually a good man, he's a good father to my children and you know, went in the wrong hands," Ingrid Klein said.
Ingrid Klein said Darren Klein is her son.
They face a host of charges, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, bookmaking, conspiracy to commit bookmaking and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
"To some people this may not seem like a significant crime, but in fact, this actually does fuel other more violent crimes and it provides the capital for organized crime syndicates to operate within the country," Carter said.
The Office of Statewide Prosecution is prosecuting the case. It it not known if any of the men have hired an attorney.
