Bookmaking

A gambling ring that thrived for more than two decades in this city's beach-side bars and restaurants--and, in recent years, used a toll-free number to help cloak its customers--has been crippled by eight arrests, police and prosecutors said this week.

Think of the heart of England, that welcoming neighborhood pub: British tradition at its homiest, a refuge of good conversation about life and the daily double washed down with pints of beer. Now take a sip and think of globalization: the cross-border, cross-cultural whirl of century-end ideas and capital. Is a Japanese investment bank becoming the largest owner of pubs and the No. 2 owner of bookmaking joints in Britain? Bet on it.

The county's top public defender said Wednesday that he is cooperating with prosecutors investigating alleged illegal gambling activities in his office but discounted the likelihood that the probe would uncover any serious wrongdoing. "Like at many business and workplaces, there is apparent evidence of people placing bets in football pools," Public Defender Carl Holmes said. "We are dealing with those issues."

Authorities announced Tuesday what they described as the biggest bookmaking operation uncovered by Orange County investigators and the arrests of 10 California and Nevada residents suspected of illegally taking in about $1 million per month. The arrests occurred Monday afternoon before the NCAA championship basketball game, which police said is traditionally second only to the Super Bowl among attractions for illegal bets. About 3:45 p.m.

An attorney for two Fresno State basketball players alleged to have shaved points for friendly gamblers this season said a Times story Wednesday that quoted bookmakers and others on the purported scheme was "trumped-up garbage." "I find it a little bit incredulous that someone would say they now have more than a rumor when what [The Times did is] quote an anonymous illegal bookie and that bookie is saying he or she has a reliable source. Is that a reliable source?"

It had the feel of a perfect fit, this fast-growing farm town aching for a national winner and the legendary basketball coach seeking one last chance at redemption, one last shot at restoring his luster. Fresno and Jerry Tarkanian. The land of Armenians and the wandering Armenian son come home after a 37-year road trip that saw "Tark the Shark" become college basketball's most winning and most investigated coach.

The FBI and a federal grand jury are studying pawn shop records in investigating rumors that Fresno State basketball players shaved points, the Fresno Bee reported Wednesday. The grand jury issued a subpoena to the city March 12 seeking records of pawn shop transactions, which must be filed with police, Deputy City Attorney Larry Donaldson said. Donaldson did not release the subpoena's contents and refused to say whether it involved the Fresno State basketball investigation.

Police on Monday released the names of the three people arrested here Sunday in connection with a sprawling bookmaking operation. Twelve people were arrested in Anaheim, Los Angeles County and Santa Fe, N.M., following a yearlong investigation by police in those areas. The three arrested in Anaheim were Jason D. Drotter, 24, of Pico Rivera, Colleen E. Posner, 35, of Rowland Heights, and Won Sok Chang, 22, of Los Angeles. They were booked on suspicion of felony bookmaking and conspiracy.

A suspected national bookmaking ring that authorities say took in at least $1 million a week in illegal bets was broken up Sunday by a law enforcement task force that arrested 10 people in Los Angeles, Anaheim, Las Vegas and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The arrests occurred shortly before the first of Sunday's two National Football League conference championship games, which traditionally generate millions in legal and illegal betting.

A suspected national bookmaking ring that authorities say took in at least $1 million a week in illegal bets was broken up Sunday by a law enforcement task force that arrested 10 people in three states, including three in Anaheim. The arrests occurred shortly before the beginning of the first of Sunday's two National Football League conference championship games, which traditionally generate millions in legal and illegal betting.