Earlier this week, authorities in the Parma-area targeted three men they believe are at the top of a pyramid that supplied and outfitted illegal gambling at some Internet cafes.
In the process, they charged four Stark County businessmen, described as middle-men in the Cuyahoga County operation:
• Christopher Maggiore, 46, of 4788 Nobles Pond Drive NW, Jackson Township
• George Georgekopoulos, 37, of 7917 Lutz Ave. NW, Jackson Township
• Christos Karasarides, 46, of 2231 Dunkeith Drive NW, Hills and Dales
• James Watson, 61, of 205 Smith Ave. SW, Canton
“We’re calling them ‘marketers,’ ” said Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Paul Soucie, who heads the office’s economic crimes unit. “They ... install the (gambling) software.”
All four were arrested Wednesday and appeared in court for the first time on Friday. All face similar multiple criminal charges of conspiracy, gambling, money laundering and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
MANY CHARGES
Every charge, Soucie said, is related to use and distribution of gaming software that originated with New Jersey-based VS2 Worldwide Communications, which wound up in 18 Cuyahoga County cafes.
Typically, patrons of such cafes buy Internet time or phone cards, which gives them access to laptop computers to play games that look similar to those in casinos. Winners are paid in cash.
The heart of the cases, Soucie admits, is the legal definition gambling. Those who offer the VS2 games say its akin to a sweepstakes, no different than those offered by national fast-food chains.
Authorities disagree.
“It’s essentially slot machines on a laptop,” Soucie sad
The three owners of VS2— called the top of the pyramid — were among 10 people and seven businesses named in a sweeping 44-page secret grand jury indictment. Those charged are accused of using multiple bank accounts, including one in the Ukraine to launder gambling proceeds.
Soucie said VS2 collected more than $46 million in the past four years, one-fourth of the revenue brought in by the cafes during that span.
Read more: http://www.cantonrep.com/x1842807277/Four-local-men-in-court-on-gambling-case#ixzz2kRjoNPRs