Former NHL Hockey Star Rick Tocchet Sentenced for Operating Multi-million Dollar Sports Gambling Ring

August 17, 2007 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that retired NHL hockey star Rick Tocchet was sentenced today for his role in a multi-million dollar sports bookmaking enterprise.

Tocchet, 43, of Phoenix, Arizona, was ordered to serve two years probation by Superior Court Judge Thomas S. Smith Jr. in Burlington County. Tocchet was sentenced pursuant to his guilty plea to charges of conspiracy and promoting gambling, both in the third degree.

In pleading guilty on May 25, Tocchet admitted that from September 2002 to February 2006, he conspired with former New Jersey state trooper James J. Harney and a third man, James A. Ulmer, to operate an illegal sports betting ring. Tocchet admitted that he was a partner with Harney in the gambling operation, sharing in its profits and covering losses.

“Today’s sentence reflects the fact that Mr. Tocchet is a first-time offender,” said Attorney General Milgram. “But make no mistake, he is paying a heavy price for his foray into the world of illegal bookmaking. He now must live with the stigma and consequences of being a convicted felon.”

“By partnering in this illegal gambling enterprise, Mr. Tocchet let down many people, including the fans who held him in high esteem and the friends from whom he took money,” said Director Paw. “Today’s sentence appropriately resolves this criminal matter.”

Supervising Deputy Attorney General Mark Eliades represented the Attorney General at the sentencing today.

Harney, 41, of Marlton, was sentenced to five years in state prison by Judge Smith on Aug. 3 pursuant to his guilty plea to second-degree conspiracy, second-degree official misconduct and third-degree promoting gambling. Harney forfeited hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets, including a townhouse, and was removed by statute from his position with the State Police.

Ulmer, 42, of Swedesboro, is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 24. Ulmer pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy and promoting gambling for bringing in bets for the ring.

The bookmaking ring was based in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area but took in millions of dollars in sports bets from all over the country. The New Jersey State Police Organized Crime Bureau began investigating the ring in late October 2005 when it uncovered information that Harney was involved in sports bookmaking. As the investigation unfolded, it expanded to include Tocchet’s role as a partner with Harney in the illegal gambling enterprise. Tocchet is currently on indefinite leave from his position as assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes.

The State Police investigation painted a picture of a highly organized sports betting system, which in a 40-day period processed over 1,000 wagers exceeding $1.7 million on professional and collegiate football and basketball games.

Source: New Jersey Attorney General

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