North Shore Butcher Sentenced to a Year for Illegal Gambling

A butcher, Highland Park native, was sentenced to one year in jail for operating an illicit sports betting operation. Domenic Poeta, 63, in August, pled guilty to filing false tax returns and operating an illicit betting operation. The accused citizen must refund around $1.4 million in income, in addition to the jail term.

One Year Jail Term For A Man For Sports Gambling

On Monday this week, a North Shore butcher was sentenced to one year in federal jail for operating illegal sports betting activity that created millions of money for him.

Domenic Poeta of Highland Park, Chicago was convicted this week at a 45-minute videoconference hearing after pleaded guilty in August to operating an illicit gaming operation and filing fake tax return. In addition to one year in court, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly ordered the 63-year-old man to refund taxes worth $1.4 million.

While Mr. Poeta initially demanded a lighter home probation sentence, his appeal was denied. In reality, the prosecutors called for a three-year term in light of the many gamblers who suffered from Mr. Poeta's illegal activity.

The suspect however entered into a plea bargain with prosecutors agreeing that he handled millions of dollars in sports betting wagers in the period 2014-2018 with the help of offshore betting websites. As a consequence, none of the money has been disclosed to the IRS.

Mr. Poeta Had Large Expenses

Mr. Poeta's expenditures in the period 2014-2018 exceeded $3.7 million, according to the prosecution. The prosecutors also disclosed that some $514,000 has been invested on a family wrestling gym and some $620,000 has been spent on real estate. Mr. Poeta invested another $800,000 on other projects, and more than $1 million was spent on interest payments.

Unlike the high expenditures, the prosecutors disclosed that Mr. Poeta registered just $50,000 in taxable profits after years of operating the illicit gambling enterprise through his butcher company. He's paying just $7,000 in taxes as a result.

The Accused Person Shall Return To Jail Until 29 May Next Year

Judge Kennelly noticed that Mr. Poeta's gambling activity was small in scale and "most definitely an undercount by a considerable amount." however, the judge recognized Mr. Poeta's age and likelihood of COVID-19 and delayed the day that he was to return to jail. So Mr. Poeta will have to return to jail for his one-year term until may 29, next year.

“It’s breathtaking, quite honestly.”

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly

He said he hopes to try to support others, and explained that he feels there are many people who need him. “I just want to do the right thing and just pay my debt,”- Mr. Poeta emphasized.