Mastronardo Brothers Cop Plea in Sports Gambling Case

PHILADELPHIA (Associated Press) — Two brothers have pleaded guilty in a gambling case that involves $1 million buried in the yard of the daughter of a former law-and-order mayor of Philadelphia.

Brothers Joseph Mastronardo Jr. and John Mastronardo pleaded guilty Friday in federal court. They were charged with using offshore accounts and other means to launder gambling proceeds from a huge sports betting organization. Joseph “Joe Vito” Mastronardo is married to the late Mayor Frank Rizzo’s daughter, Joanna

Sixteen people were indicted after authorities found more than $1 million in cash buried in PVC pipes in the front yard of the couple’s sprawling suburban home. Five others have also pleaded guilty or are set to plead guilty this week.