Posted on 02/07/2006 3:18:59 PM PST by wouldntbprudent
EWING, N.J. (AP) - Wayne Gretzky's wife and about a half-dozen NHL players placed bets - but not on hockey - with a nationwide sports gambling ring financed by Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet, authorities said Tuesday.
Gretzky, hockey's greatest player, is in his first season coaching the Coyotes and is a part-owner of the team.
Actress-wife Janet Jones was among those implicated, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because no bettors have been publicly identified.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
I seem to remember Tocchet getting hamstrung over an incident in a stripper bar in East St. Louis a few years back.
I have no knowledge of said PT's and will deny any knowledge of any wimmens from that bar in court.
Allegedly
The only thing I really remember about Tocchet was that he would seem to score a goal and then get into a fight in a game :)
and two officials from the Super Bowl...
The local fishwrap indicated that it looks like Tocchet will be charged with (3) class-2 felony charges. I think he is done helping Gretz change lines.
I added NJ to the topics list.
Authorities said Tocchet and state police Trooper James Harney were partners in the operation, with the former Philadelphia Flyers star providing the financing.
"Tocchet received illegal sports bets from wagers and funneled money back to New Jersey," Fuentes said.
Tocchet, one of three associate coaches on the Coyotes' staff, took over the head coaching duties for 10 days in December while Gretzky was with his dying mother.
The 41-year-old Tocchet played 18 years with six teams, including three seasons with the Coyotes from 1997-00. He's one of only four players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes. Tocchet was a fan favorite wherever he played, including two stints with the Flyers (1984-92, 2000-02).
"I think everybody is surprised," Flyers center Peter Forsberg said. "It's definitely not good for the sport to hear something like that."
Harney, 40, was arrested Monday and has been suspended from the force. The eight-year police veteran was charged in an arrest warrant with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy. Another man accused of taking bets is James Ulmer, 40, who was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
Both men were free after posting 10 percent of their bail. Harney had $100,000 bail, Ulmer $50,000. The two were expected to be arraigned within two weeks.
The gambling ring had a connection with organized crime in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, Fuentes said. Starting Monday night, authorities seized property from Harney and Ulmer. State police seized $27,000 in currency, "voluminous" amounts of sports betting information and bank accounts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, Fuentes said.
Janet Jones, as I recall, had a thing going for professional athletes before she hooked up with Gretzky. Actress? Maybe ... but I'm hard pressed to remember what memorable roll she played (other than under her favorite athlete of the moment) pre - Gretzky.
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