US reveals inquiry into tip-off by DA
3 plead guilty to betting ring
By Shelley Murphy
Globe Staff / June 2, 2011
A federal prosecutor revealed in court yesterday that investigators are looking into allegations that Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe told a close friend to warn an elderly Cape Cod bookmaker that State Police were targeting his sports betting operation.
The alleged tip-off in December 2006 prompted the bookmaker to shut down the illegal gambling ring until the following fall, when football season began, according to Assistant US Attorney Fred Wyshak.
The prosecutor did not mention O’Keefe’s name in court, but identified him as an elected law enforcement official who worked in the district attorney’s office on Cape Cod. O’Keefe is the only elected official in that office.
O’Keefe vehemently denied the allegations during a telephone interview yesterday.
“Neither I nor my office has ever had any association with a sports betting operation, and any allegation to the contrary is untrue,’’ said O’Keefe, a three-term Republican whose career in law enforcement spans 30 years. “I did not cause any warning to be given to any sports betting operation.’’
O’Keefe called the allegations a rehash of what was reported a year ago. The Globe reported in April 2010 that a federal grand jury was investigating allegations that O’Keefe protected alleged bookmakers operating on the Cape.
“It’s unpleasant, but it’s not going to disrupt my office,’’ said O’Keefe, declining to comment further.
Details of the ongoing investigation emerged yesterday as Adam Hart, William Neofotistos, and Timothy Reardon pleaded guilty in US District Court in Boston to operating an illegal sports betting business for a decade. Hart and Neofotistos also pleaded guilty to obstruction of law enforcement, stemming from the tip-off allegation.
Hart, the 85-year-old longtime owner of the Ocean House Restaurant in Dennisport, and 60-year-old Neofotistos, both of Dennisport, complained of trouble hearing during the proceedings. US District Chief Judge Mark L. Wolf ordered the pair moved to a table closer to him and provided them with headphones that would amplify his remarks. Reardon, 33, of Barnstable, who is married to Hart’s granddaughter, sat beside them, along with their lawyers.
The three signed plea agreements last summer, agreeing to cooperate in the investigation. Prosecutors may seek lighter sentences than those recommended under federal guidelines.
Describing the evidence in the case, Wyshak said an unidentified person who placed bets with the illegal gambling ring was close friends with the elected official in the Cape Cod district attorney’s office. That official learned that State Police were interested in getting a wiretap aimed at the gambling ring, Wyshak said.
“The elected law enforcement official tipped off his friend that Hart’s gambling business was going to be targeted by State Police and instructed him to tell Hart, which he did,’’ Wyshak said.
As a result of the alleged tip-off in December 2006, Hart and Neofotistos shut down the gambling business until the following fall, according to Wyshak.
The judge asked if Wyshak’s account of what happened was true. Both Hart and Neofotistos said, “Yes, your honor.’’
Federal sentencing guidelines recommend a 24-month to 30-month prison term for Hart and a 12-month to 18-month term for Reardon. The guideline range for Neofotistos is unclear, according to his lawyer.
Wolf set a Sept. 22 sentencing date.
Hart has agreed to forfeit $750,000 in cash, Reardon $1,580, and Neofotistos $17,000.
During questioning by the judge, Hart described himself as a 1951 graduate of Boston University.
Reardon said he held an associate’s degree in criminal justice, while Neofotistos said he graduated from a junior college.
The government urged the judge to delay sentencing for at least six months because of the ongoing investigation, but Wolf voiced concern about Hart’s advanced age and the length of the investigation.
Shelley Murphy can be reached at .
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
onyourmark wrote:Another Democrat about to bite the bullet.
6/2/2011 7:34 AM EDT
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/ Dave24 wrote:
So, "O’Keefe, a three-term Republican whose career in law enforcement spans 30 years" who allegedly made the tip-off will be safe?
6/2/2011 8:07 AM EDT
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/ clambelly wrote:
Is Fred Wyshak ever going to look into O'Keefe's role in the Bulger/FBI GOVERNMENT run DRUG CARTEL eminating from Cape Cod, since the Cape is a major delivery route into the US. O'Keefe was trained by Whitey's cousin when he was on Dennis Beat Cop in the early 80's. HAUL ABOARD.
This IS the reason CHRISTA WORTHINGTON was "Skewered" to her floor. His money man Joe Buscone, who is also under Investigation in this operation, also owns the Marina Business and is in a Real Estate partnership with the MA State Cop, Thomas Hester who was outed as not only Jeremy Frazier's "Handler" who "FED" him his "Alibi"-Shawn Mulvey but more recently it was learned is an alleged drug dealer who took the order to snuff former 17 year Asst. Attorney General-(Under Frances Bellotti) Christopher Worthington's daughter - To shut her up from threatening all of them about the "NEW MOBS" DRUGS OPERATION who were under the spotlight of the 2000-2003 House Congressional Investigation, looking into MA Law Enforcement, FBI & Justice Dept. CORRUPTION, that was thwarted by "W's" limiting of the time periods, and installing 1980's Mueller to FBI Dir. WHAT A SCAM & THE ULTIMATE IN THE ABUSE OF ALL POWER & TRUST.
6/2/2011 8:41 AM EDT
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/ WhatDoYouWantNow wrote:
I wonder how many people he's put in jail for bookkeeping.
If the allegations are true, this is disgusting.
6/2/2011 8:59 AM EDT
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/ TedysDad wrote:
OK, I'll bite. What is the relevance of the educational background of the defendants? Is the 1951 BU degree of Hart really going to help in getting that Walmart greeter's job?
6/2/2011 9:10 AM EDT
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/ clambelly wrote:
Be sure to read Author Peter Manso's book "Reasonable Doubt" that is finally coming out on July 5th, and much will be revealed about this ROGUE Law "ENFORCERS" operation, MY MOB.
He along with thousands of others here in "Freedomland," belong in cages.
6/2/2011 9:12 AM EDT
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/ nmce wrote:
onyourmark wrote: Another Democrat about to bite the bullet.
O'Keefe is a Republican. It says so right in the article. But congratulations on being the first to comment, and having your partisanship-fueled stupidity right there at the beginning.
6/2/2011 9:22 AM EDT
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/ clambelly wrote:
"WE THE PEOPLE" in "Freedomland" should draft Fred Wyshak into the role of FBI Director, pay him $10 Mil a year, give him a Special Ops force for "Protection" and let him clean up ALL the ROGUE's in Law "Enforcement", Judicial, Legislative and Administrative. Plus add an amendment to the Constitution that establishes outside and "INDEPENDENT" OVERSIGHT OVER ALL GOVERNMENT. NO EXCUSES. GOVERNMENT CAN NOT, NOR WILL POLICE ITSELF.
We deserve MUCH BETTER, and that's what our forbearers had in mind, when they founded our once great nation.
6/2/2011 9:33 AM EDT
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/ clambelly wrote:
O'keefe was a DemocRAT turned RepubliCON - FYI. He's a cross dresser you'd say. His patronage comes from BOTH "Parties" it's all one big CORRUPT MOB.
He's the ONLY RepubliCON that former AG (D) Bellotti gives Patronage too. Besides O'Keefe's handling of Bellotti's former Asst. AG's daughter, Christa Worthington "Skewering" he also handled Mr. Bellotti's former son-in-laws, Tony Tufo's, mishap with the motor boat blades in Boston Harbor on July 3rd 2007. Seven Court & DA's Law Enforcers on board, and no one saw or heard a thing. RIGHT.
6/2/2011 9:45 AM EDT
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/ TheSageJohnLocke-II wrote:
So O'Keefe was a democrat for years but when he became a republican the authorities finally felt free to arrest him.
Nobody has a problem with this??!?
6/2/2011 10:05 AM EDT
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/ clambelly wrote:
Sage where've you been - didn't you know the TWO "Parties" merged OPERATIONS in the mid-90's, when then (D) DC Prosecutor Eric Holder hired (R) Robert Mueller - the 1980's Boston Fed. Pros/Crime Task Force Chief, during the time when they chose their partnership with the chosen gangs, while going after "Organized Crime" - they replaced "Organized Crime." = The "NEW MOB."
6/2/2011 10:21 AM EDT
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/ rental wrote:
Give me a Break. The feds are corrupt!!! How come the Bulgers have not been prosecuted for the same thing? Again the DOJ only applies things when they want to. Sometimes the DOJ is as smart as the HACKS on Beacon Hill. Move along now!!!
6/2/2011 11:05 AM EDT
DA Michael O'Keefe identified as 'mob tipster' in Cape gambling probe
Federal prosecutor testifies tipster was 'elected official' in District Attorney's office
"It's unpleasant, but it's not going to disrupt my office." - Michael O'Keefe.
In the latest shocking development in the ongoing investigation of possible Providence mob connected illegal betting and loan sharking on Cape Cod, the Boston Globe this morning reports that a federal prosecutor revealed in court yesterday that investigators are looking into allegations that Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe told a close friend to warn an elderly Cape Cod bookmaker, Adam Hart, the 85-year-old longtime owner of the Ocean House Restaurant in Dennisport, that State Police were targeting his sports betting operation.
Describing the evidence in the case, Assistant US Attorney Fred Wyshak said an unidentified person who placed bets with the illegal gambling ring was close friends with the elected official in the Cape Cod district attorney's office. That official learned that State Police were interested in getting a wiretap aimed at the gambling ring, Wyshak said. The alleged tip-off in December 2006 prompted the bookmaker to shut down the illegal gambling ring until the following fall, when football season began, according to Assistant US Attorney Fred Wyshak.
DA Michael O'Keefe is the only 'elected official' in the Cape & Islands District Attorney's office.
Read The Globe story here.
06/02/11 @ 7:37 am
Richard [Member] writes:
I admit it -I was wrong. I never figured O'Keefe to be so stupid as to get involved in something like tipping racketeers off to an investigation. My money was on Cummings for that one, with good reason. His patronage appointment of Jeffrey Perry to the special sheriff job clearly showed he has no sense of honor or honesty in hiring, and he's clearly lying about the PI report that supposedly "cleared" Perry of any wrongdoing as a Wareham cop. If there were even a shred of proof that Perry was not involved in covering up for Flanagan that PI report would have been plastered all over the local media. Duh! So my money was on Cummings for the rat, and I'm really disappointed with O'Keefe because I thought he at least had some kind of narrow, rigid sense of honor in addition to basic street smarts.
Oh, well. He's still entitled to the presumption of innocence and the feds will have to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He'll have the right to counsel and he can't be compelled to testify against himself, so maybe the feds will be wrong about him, too.
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06/02/11 @ 8:49 am
integritycounts [Member] writes:
I would say we have problems in our big three law enforcement guys here on the Cape, however I know it is not unusual for law enforcement to be a place where there is ethical misconduct. Absolute power corrupts at every level. In a good ole boys government mentality the good ole boys look out for each other. That's the way it's always been and I was told last week by someone, that's the way it's always going to be. I sure hope not.
I find hope in a story yesterday on radio. A panel was on to discuss political leaders and integrity. A new phrase emerged for me, which I quite agree with. It came about in reference to the speaker scandal on Beacon Hill and the corruption issues in general in state gov. One of the panelist said we have to make sure we are electing people of HIGH integrity, check out their records, look at their business reputations, etc. He challenged the voter to pay attention and break the cycle.
When I was young I admired political leaders in my community, state and of course the nation. As I got older it seemed like so many of them were crooks. Sad.
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06/02/11 @ 9:47 am
The Shadow [Member] writes:
Let's look into history a bit. Now ask yourself, in the last 30 years or so, when has there been a raid or arrest of a bookie operation? Do you need any further explanation ?
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06/02/11 @ 9:57 am
Shecky [Member] writes:
People who have been around here a while recall that O'Keefe's first law enforcement job on Cape Cod was in Dennis, the town where the sports betting happened and at the time is was in full swing.
The town was smaller then and any cop with a brain knew about Adam Hart and his betting parlor.
"The Michael" doesn't just has a brain, like J. Edgar Hoover he has a secret file on anyone who might get in his way.
Looks like he forgot about how rats squeal when they are caught.
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06/02/11 @ 2:08 pm
clambelly [Member] writes:
Ayy, don't sweat it Muggsie, your buddies further up the CRIMINAL Chain gang are going to be doing much harder time than you, with this petty lil' poker party. Maybe you can "RAT" on them too and get a reduced sentence and some extra sNickers. ;-)
Why was Joe Buscone-(Northside Marina) brought into this? Did they question his Real Estate Business Partner MSP Sgt. Tom Hester, too? He was Jeremy Frazier's "Handler" that Phone "Fed" him his "Alibi." He's "The Phoneman" too, that you were all fibbing for...and leaving the poor BIG SCARY BLACK garbageman in jail. Shame on you. Why I'd recommend him to become Warden to insure you get those high quality services like Sheriff Jim has become known for.
Maybe you can cut a deal with Fred Wyshak and throw em all under the bus. :)
What say u Buzz? :)
and where might Judyus "Backdoor" be lurkin'. ;-) She's everybody's girl.
Oh well, they'll be no rush for Chicken-By-The-Sea real estate anytime soon.
Get your advanced order in for Mr. Manso's book - or you won't get the first printing. A star is born
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06/02/11 @ 4:03 pm
mickeybruno [Member] writes:
Seems like some folks prefer guilty until proven innocent and Richard has an obsession with Cummings and Perry. Not to bring up the Constitution on this liberal leaning blog, but how about we hold judgment until a jury decides guilty or not?
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06/02/11 @ 6:37 pm
Richard [Member] writes:
Hey, mickbee-
Did you read what I actually wrote or what you wanted to pretend I wrote so you could take potshots at me? I posted the first comment in this thread, and I clearly cited the presumption of innocence for O'Keefe, as well as his several other due process rights under the Constitution.
I also repeated the fact that I had not only applied the pro forma presumption of innocence to O'Keefe initially, but had formed the opinion that he was actually innocent -which is not the same thing as the Scotch verdict "not guilty" as you probably already know.
That was why I believed Cummings was the culprit when the story of a leak was first reported, with him being the only other elected law enforcement official in the County. My belief it was Cummings was based as much on not believing O'Keefe would do such a thing, as it was on my belief that Cummings would do so based on the dishonesty he has shown with the Perry appointment.
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06/02/11 @ 7:20 pm
bill rubin's ghost [Member] writes:
"Not to bring up the Constitution on this liberal leaning blog, but how about we hold judgment until a jury decides guilty or not?"
The Constitutional presumption of innocence applies to the government. It doesn't prevent a private citizen from voicing their opinion of guilt or innocence, right or wrong. That aside, I'm not rushing to condemn the DA unless/until someone can make a case against him.
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06/02/11 @ 9:56 pm
bittersweet [Member] writes:
NICE!
It's ALL coming down. Down and out. Out...all of it. Apocalypse...it's amazing to behold.
And dang if synchronicity isn't the bomb!
I was JUST listening to Living Colour, Type.
Last words of the song are "Everything that comes around goes arooooouuuuuund."
"Evv-rything that goes around, it comes around, it goes around....."
You got the word right Clam----Shame.
Shame on the lot of you.
Shame on Cape Cod.
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06/02/11 @ 9:58 pm
bittersweet [Member] writes:
And Peter White is a nice man.
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06/03/11 @ 8:22 am
bombsaway [Member] writes:
"DK – we are both acquainted with Mr. Brooks, and what is going to sink him is lack of consistency.
He’s been asked in the past to eliminate items in posts which were false – and his response was to reply in comments! It reminds one of the old saying about wrestling with pigs…and Walter gets dirty. He also has a regrettable habit of encouraging flame wars via email, claiming that somebody said THIS!! and what are YOU going to say back?
But when a liberal or lawyer asks, he has no problem with deleting posts and comments.
If there was a protocol and all were treated equally, he would have a grape leaf. As it is, he may not have saran wrap.
****
I have no access to anyone’s identifying information. A subpoena-bearing lawyer would have to go to to the service with which you registered, such as Blogger, in order to get your identity".
Peter Robbins, Jeff Blanchard, TRB, crusader....How many more?
There is no justice when profits are always being made at the expense of innocents.