Rick Tocchet Gets Two Years Probation For Role In Gambling Ring
Posted August 17, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Rick Tocchet could’ve had five years in a state penitentiary to look forward to, but the 43-year-old former NHLer took advantage of a presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders who plead guilty to third or fourth-degree crimes, which is why he’ll serve no more than two-years probation for his role in an illegal sports gambling ring.
So the retired Philadelphia Flyer isn’t likely to serve any time at all for his crimes, which involved a paternership with a New Jersey state trooper and another man in the organization they operated for five years.
Before being sentenced on Friday, Tocchet told the judge, “I’m sorry to the court, my family and friends I was involved in this.”
Tocchet’s crimes occurred while he was serving as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes under Wayne Gretzky. He was placed on indefinite leave from his job after he was charged.
James Harney, the trooper who has since been forced to give up his badge, was sentenced earlier this month to five years in prison. The other man, James Ulmer, will be sentenced on Aug. 24.
The case made hockey headlines in February 2006 because authorities believed the men’s betting clients were several people connected to the game. The only name released was Janet Jones Gretzky, Wayne’s wife, but authorities quickly said neither she nor other bettors would be charged.
The ensuing investigation showed no connection to betting on hockey, but action was heavy on other sports. In the 40 days that led up to the charges, the ring handled $1.7-million in bets, including college football bowl games and the Super Bowl.
During that time, business was great for the trio. When Harney was arrested, police took 32 watches and nine televisions from his home. Harney met Tocchet in the 1990s when he was playing for the Flyers and Harney tended bar at a hotel frequented by athletes.
Photo Credit: Robert Laberge/Getty Images
