Bookie Pleads Guilty To Illegal Gambling And Money Laundering

CONTACT:       Barbara Burns
PHONE:           (716) 843-5817 
FAX:               (716) 551-3051
                                           
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Paul Borrelli, 70, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to illegal gambling and money laundering before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The defendant has forfeited over $3,200,000 in assets. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that Paul Borelli conducted an illegal gambling business with co-defendants Mark Ruff, 40, of Connecticut and Joseph Ruff, 32, of Rochester. The gambling operation involved sports betting through multiple offshore internet gambling websites and involved at least $76 million in gross wagers.

Specifically, between January 13, 2012, and April 25, 2014, Borrelli deposited quantities of United States Currency into a Bank of America account, proceeds of the illegal internet gambling business. On July 5, 2012, Borrelli withdrew and transferred of $14,919.91 from the account by check the defendant made payable to the City of Rochester Treasurer.

Paul Ruff was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison. Joseph Ruff was also convicted and sentenced to 41 months in prison.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, which included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, under the direction of Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office, Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Delano A. Reid, New York Field Division, Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick Phelan, the Webster Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Joseph Rieger, and Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.