Former Hockey Star Tocchet Guilty of Running Gambling Ring

In a fascinating case regarding some high profile former NHL players involved in an alleged gambling ring that was based out of New Jersey, the primary defendant, Rick Tocchet, plead guilty on Friday to running the ring.

Of the high profile stars involved, none were bigger than The Great One, himself, Wayne Gretzky, who was not involved directly, but his wife Janet Jones was rumored to be a big time gambler.

Tocchet now faces sentencing in August and although the conviction comes with the threat of 10 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines, it is not likely he will do any jail time. It is not typical that first time offenders of the third degree felony end up doing time.

There was a taped conversation between Tocchet and Gretzky in which they detailed ways to keep Gretzky's wife out of the scandal. Not much came of that conversation outside of press headlines, mainly because it took place after New Jersey state police broke the ring.

In his guilty plea, Tocchet explained that he worked with Jersey state trooper James Harney, and James Ulmer, in forming and running the ring. The ring supposedly brought in more than $1.7 million in a 40-day period between college football bowl games and the Super Bowl.

The other two defendants Harney and Ulmer, face up to seven years and one year in jail, respectively.



2007-05-27