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As reported by the Morning Call: “Federal racketeering indictments were
handed down Wednesday against a Whitehall Township man and his brother
who allegedly ran an international sports betting operation in the Lehigh
Valley.
”Dennis Atiyeh, 37, and his brother, Joseph Atiyeh of Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
are accused of funneling sports bets through a circuit with outlets in
Whitehall [Pennsylvania], Louisiana and Jamaica.
”The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury on Nov. 9, alleges the
operation handled $5.4 million in sports bets in Whitehall [Pennsylvania],
Louisiana and Jamaica in 1995 and 1996. It also charges parlay cards, or
betting sheets, were sent to customers by fax and millions of dollars in
proceeds were forwarded to a bank account in Jamaica.
”…If convicted of one count of illegal gambling, one count of conspiracy to
launder money and 14 counts of money laundering, Dennis Atiyeh would face
a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of $7.75 million. Joseph
Atiyeh, charged with one count of conspiracy and four counts of money
laundering, could face life imprisonment and a $2.5 million fine.
”…Joseph Atiyeh, who won a silver medal in wrestling for Syria in the 1984
Olympics, could not be reached for comment.
”…Joseph Atiyeh, his brother said, is in the real estate business in Louisiana.
”…Dennis Atiyeh operates Atiyeh Publishing Co. in Whitehall. It publishes Las
Vegas Sporting News, Sports and Gaming World and Action magazine, a
gaming lifestyle publication.
”…The indictment alleges Dennis Atiyeh operated a sports betting business
from Sports Marketing & Sales and English Sports Betting in Montego Bay,
Jamaica.
”…More laundering charges involve transfers of money between businesses in
Whitehall [Pennsylvania], Louisiana and a Jamaican company, English Sports
Information Processors Ltd.
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