OKLAHOMA
A federal jury in Oklahoma City convicted two Texas men and a Californian for being involved in a $1 billion, illegal gambling and money laundering operation based in Panama City, Panama, official announced last week.
Rodger Bramley, 73, of Plano, Texas, Kelley Diebner, 43, of Houston, Texas, and Leon Moran Jr. 54, of Kingsburg, California, were found guilty of racketeering conspiracy, conducting an illegal gambling business and money laundering conspiracy.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
According to evidence,from 2003 to 2013, Bramley, Diebner and Moran conspired with others to operate an international criminal enterprise known as Legendz Sports, which ran Internet and telephone gambling services from Panama City, Panama.
Legendz Sports took in more than $1 billon in illegal wagers, almost exclusively from gamblers in the United States betting on American sporting events, the evidence indicated.
Bramley and Diebner worked as bookies in Texas who illegally solicited and accepted sports wagers as well as settled gambling debts, the evidence showed.
Evidence further showed that Moran worked as a runner who delivered and picked up cash to Legendz Sports bookies.
As part of the racketeering conspiracy, officials stated that bookies and runners for Legendz Sports transported millions of dollars of gambling proceeds in cash and checks from the United States to Panama.
The checks were made out to various shell companies created by Legendz Sports throughout Central America, according to authorities.