Re: Tocchet & "Operation Slap-Shot" <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Wednesday, February 8, 2006Coyotes' Tocchet to be arraigned in 7-10 daysESPN.com news servicesPhoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet and his co-defendants, New Jersey State Trooper James J. Harney and James A. Ulmer of Swedesboro, N.J., will be arraigned in state Superior Court in Burlington County within the next 7-10 days, James Hagerty, the spokesman for the state Division of Criminal Justice, told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio.An investigation by New Jersey authorities dubbed "Operation Slap Shot" into the New Jersey-based gambling ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million, on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball. Tocchet was implicated as the financier of the ring.Hagerty said Tocchet, an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes, will not turn himself in to state police before that arraignment date, which should be set later Wednesday.At the request of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Tocchet did not attend the Coyotes' game against the Blackhawks on Tuesday night. In a statement, the Coyotes said Tocchet "was flying back East this evening to address the allegations in a meeting with Bettman."Speaking after the league's general managers adjourned their meeting Tuesday, Bettman said, "I have retained Robert Cleary, who is a former U.S. attorney for New Jersey, to do an internal investigation for us, and I'll be meeting with him first thing [Wednesday]morning."At the arraignment, bail will be set for Tocchet by state Superior Court Judge John A. Almeida, Hagerty said.Then, the state Attorney General will present evidence in the case to a state grand jury. The grand jury investigation is expected to take up to six weeks, at which time indictments are expected to be forthcoming.Investigators tell ESPN that the grand jury investigation will focus on those placing bets with the nationwide gambling operation allegedly headed by Tocchet, Harney and Ulmer, to determine if those bettors were simply gambling or providing inside information on players and injuries to aid in the gambling operation.One of the lead investigators from the State Police told ESPN that while there are no indications as of yet that Tocchet and his co-defendants bet on NHL games, officials with the state Attorney General's office have not ruled out that possibility, or the possibility that NHL games were fixed.Another focus of the grand jury probe will be the alleged ties of the operation to a South Philadelphia/South Jersey organized crime family, investigators told ESPN."Operation Slap Shot" revealed alleged ties to the Bruno-Scarfo crime family in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, authorities said.Wayne Gretzky's wife, actress 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. KYW-TV and WCAU-TV, both in Philadelphia, reported on their Web sites Tuesday evening that unnamed sources close to the investigation confirmed that former Flyer Jeremy Roenick also was questioned about his involvement.Gretzky said his wife would at some point discuss the allegations against her."First of all, my wife is my best friend," Gretzky said. "My love for her is deeper than anything. The reality is, I'm not involved, I wasn't involved and I'm not going to be involved. Am I concerned for both of them? Sure there's concern from me. I'm more worried about them than me. ? I'm trying to figure it all out."Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2323292&type=storyWhat's Gretzky gonna tell his wife bout this? "Well honey, it's like I always used to tell ya, you lose 100% of the bets that you don't make!"
Re: Tocchet & "Operation Slap-Shot" Crazy stuff, NHL finally leads Sports Center off for the wrong reasons.
Re: Tocchet & "Operation Slap-Shot" LMAO.Wayne Gretzky not in the Hall-of-Fame would be a joke.If this guy doesnt make it, there shouldnt be a hall-of-fame. Not to mention that theres no proof that he actually placed any bets yet.PS: Who here has never made a bet in their lives?
Re: Tocchet & "Operation Slap-Shot" I've been making bets since I could talk I think as long as it isn't a bet on a fixed game or somthing the view on betting shouldn't be so strict...
