September 29, 09

NEWS / Enforcement Officer for Hudson County Improvement Authority Pleads Guilty to Promoting Gambling

TRENTON – Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that an enforcement officer for the Hudson County Improvement Authority pleaded guilty today to promoting gambling.

According to Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni, Harry L. Aceti, 52, of Flemington, pleaded guilty to an accusation charging him with fourth-degree promoting gambling before Superior Court Judge Lourdes I. Santiago in Hudson County.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Aceti be ordered to serve a four-year term of probation. He must forfeit his job as an enforcement officer for the Hudson County Improvement Authority and will be permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey. He could also face a criminal fine of up to $25,000.

In pleading guilty, Aceti admitted that he was actively involved in promoting an illegal bookmaking operation in which he solicited individuals to place bets on sporting events by distributing telephone numbers which these individuals could call to place bets. Aceti admitted that he also was responsible for collecting money from these bettors to cover their losses and ensuring that money was delivered to the winners.

Members of the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau North Unit conducted the investigation. Deputy Attorney General David M. Fritch took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau.

Aceti was arrested on June 2, 2009 as a result of the investigation. He has been free on $50,000 bail.

Judge Santiago scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20090929b.html