It was a well-orchestrated, multimillion-dollar poker hustle that allegedly involved the mafia and high-profile NBA names.
And when nearly every hand is fixed, you can bet there’s a New Jersey tie.
Three Garden State residents were arrested Thursday as part of the criminal case that involves members and associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families.
Julius Ziliani, 54, of Wayne, allegedly a Bonanno family member, helped oversee the sprawling operation and extorted a victim to secure a debt, authorities said.
Osman “Albanian Bruce” Hoti, 44, of Ridgefield Park, allegedly provided muscle and took part in a violent robbery linked to the scheme
Marco Garzon, 39, of Elizabeth, was one of the “cheating team” operatives who drained unsuspecting players of their money hand by hand, according to charges against him.
Attorneys for Ziliani, Hoti, and Garzon could not immediately be reached.
The New Jersey connection was among the troubling details of an illegal high-stakes poker scheme detailed in a 22-page federal indictment unsealed Thursday. Authorities charged 31 defendants with running the operation, defrauding players and laundering millions. The scheme ran from January 2022 through October 2023, authorities said.
Unbeknownst to players, cheaters used hidden card-reading devices, rigged shuffling machines, X-Ray tables and specially designed contact lenses and sunglasses to read the backs of cards as they were dealt.
The information was wirelessly transmitted in real time to players on “cheating teams,” who coordinated bets, drained millions from unsuspecting victims and funneled the proceeds to the mob.
The takedown sent shockwaves through the sports world with NBA head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier and former player Damon Jones ensnared in the scandal.
The athletes acted as ‘Face Cards’ to lure unsuspecting victims to high-stakes poker games, authorities said.
Ziliani, Hoti, and Garzon are each facing multiple federal counts, including wire fraud, operating an illegal gambling business and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Hoti is also charged in connection with a violent robbery.
If convicted, each could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
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