Atlantic City Gambling Bust Uncovers Mob Ties

There are no legal sports books in Atlantic City, so a group of people decided to start their own illegal book inside the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.  Eighteen people were arrested Wednesday, most charged with promoting gambling and/or money laundering, and five more are being sought by authorities. 

Four of the individuals have ties to the mob.  Andrew Micali, 32, who is purported to be the head of the operation, is an associate of Philadelphia mob boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino (no this is not a movie).  Micali’s three associates, Vincent Procopio, Anthony Nicodemo, and Michael Lancellotti were all also charged with promoting gambling, money laundering, and loan-sharking. 

Several casino employees were in on the act, as well, including poker room supervisors, dealers, and a bartender.  The arrests were kept quiet, away from the casino floor, and Borgata spokesman Rob Stillwell has made assurances that casino operations were not compromised.  The offenders were nabbed through casino security cameras. 

“Chip washing” was the method of choice used by the group and its casino employee accomplices to get money in their hands and out of the casino.  Cash would be exchanged for chips, the chips would be circulated on the casino floor before getting back into the hands of someone involved with the sports book, and then the “washed” chips would be cashed out.  The casino employees who were involved would assist in the washing by not recording chip and money exchanges as they normally would. 

Law enforcement officials seized $40,000 from Micali’s safe deposit box at the Borgata.  A warrant was also issued to freeze his bank account, which is home to more than $200,000.