Online Bookie Will Serve 2 Years Prison Time for Role in ‘Project Amethyst’
The head of an online sports betting ring has been sentenced to 2 years prison time in Ottawa.
Benedetto Manasseri, 50, took in $842,000 between February and July 2012, court documents claim.
Mansasseri, known to some as “The Car Wash Boy”, was caught up in a sweeping series of raids last year involving three credit books, the biggest being PlatinumSB.com based in Costa Rica. The investigation was dubbed “Project Amethyst” and involved Canada’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU).
21 individuals were arrested in connection with “Project Amethyst”. Prosecutors claimed some of those charged had ties to organized crime and the Hells Angels.
Mansasseri pleaded guilty to a criminal organization charge related to bookmaking.
"Other than the obvious goal of financial gain, there was no other reason for this organization," said Judge Hugh Fraser.
"While his involvement in a criminal organization didn't involve drugs or weapons, this is clearly more than a gaming case."
Prosecutors were initially seeking a three-year sentence for Mansasseri.
This is believed to be the first case of its kind in Canada.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
