January 14, 2015

Abita Springs Man Sentenced for Running Illegal Wagering Operation and Money Laundering

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that FRANK FRABBIELE, age 79, of Abita Springs, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to the transmission of wagering information and money laundering.

U.S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan sentenced FRABBIELE to eight months’ incarceration, forfeiture in the amount of $209,203.87, and a $200 special assessment.

According to court documents, beginning not later than January 2008 and continuing until April 9, 2014,FRABBIELE operated a gambling operation in which he took bets and wagers on football, basketball, and baseball games. In the course of conducting his gambling operation, FRABBIELE used a “pay-per-head” betting website based in Costa Rica to track, record, and register bets and clients, to whichFRABBIELE paid a per-client fee. FRABBIELE’S relationship with the website caused information to be transmitted by wire from Abita Springs to the country of Costa Rica for the purposes of assisting in placing bets on football, baseball, and basketball. FRABBIELE also committed money laundering by depositing $20,000 cash, which was proceeds of the gambling operation, into a bank account on November 15, 2012.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg was in charge of the prosecution.