Bookie receives 1 1/2 years
Judge criticizes Nuzzo for way he raised kids
Post-Tribune (IN)
September 26, 1991
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U.S. District Judge James T. Moody sentenced Sam Nuzzo Sr. to 1 1/2 years in prison Wednesday, but not before criticizing the longtime bookie for the way he raised his children.
Moody also sentenced one of Nuzzo's sons, Arthur A. Nuzzo, 33, to 18 months for committing the same offense. Two daughters will be sentenced Friday and another son on Oct. 15.
Nuzzo, 70, of Merrillville, attempted to diminish his culpability by shifting the responsibility for the illegal sports betting operation to his sons, Arthur and Sam Jr.
"I was helping my kids," Nuzzo said, adding that he was nothing more than a gofer for the football parlay card business operated by Arthur and Sam Jr.
Defense attorney Thomas Vanes added, "What this man did, he didn't do for personal profit. The motivation was a father helping his children whenever they needed help."
Moody, irritated by the comment, interrupted, saying, "Wouldn't it have been better to say, 'Get out of this business. It's illegal.' "
Prior to sentencing, Moody agreed with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Thill's contention that Sam Nuzzo should be considered a manager or supervisor of the operation. That determination increased Nuzzo's possible maximum sentence by six months.
Nuzzo took the witness stand to explain that he was just a runner for his sons.
Moody, moments later, said, "I find the defendant's testimony here today to be incredible, not believable. Whatever he said, I didn't believe him."
Nuzzo countered, "You said you didn't believe me, but I'm telling the truth. I was helping my kids. I was doing wrong. I understand it."
During a November 1987 raid at Sam Nuzzo Sr.'s apartment, the telephone rang and FBI agent Phillip Hultgen took the call, Thill said. Nuzzo was in the apartment at the time. Hultgen accepted a wager from one of Nuzzo's customers.
The 18-month sentence is the maximum Moody could have imposed. Because of the new federal sentencing guidelines, Nuzzo will have to serve virtually all of the time.
Moody also fined Nuzzo $30,000, payable by Oct. 15. Nuzzo is to report to prison Nov. 1.
The 18 months given Arthur Nuzzo also was the maximum sentence. Moody fined Arthur $10,000, payable within the first two years upon release from prison.
Arthur has been held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago since May and will be credited for time served.
Arthur, with his pre-school daughter looking on, told Moody, "I accept my responsibility and I am sorry for the crime I have committed."
Both Nuzzos had pleaded guilty to one count of illegal gambling under terms of a plea agreement with the U.S. attorney's office.
Sam Nuzzo's daughters, Jennifer Kaufman, 37, and Sandra Mynes, 43, will be sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to illegal gambling. They took sports bets by telephone. They, too, are incarcerated.
Another son, Sam Nuzzo Jr., 45, will be sentenced Oct. 15.
Bond for Arthur and the two women was revoked in May after the FBI showed they continued the family sports betting operation after being indicted in December.
Sam Nuzzo Jr. went to trial in August with five other defendants and was convicted on racketeering and gambling charges.
After sentencing, Vanes said, "It hurts me to see a family hurt. It is out of proportion to this kind of an offense.
"One day you may see these football parlay cards with the state of Indiana stamped on them."
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