A big name player in the National Hockey League was questioned by federal authorities in New York this week who are looking into illegal gambling.
Thomas Vanek, who signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Wild this off-season, has not been accused of any criminality. According to HockeyWilderness.com, the investigation is centered around the owners of Marina Restaurant and Bar in Charlotte, NY.
From USA Today:
In June, the FBI arrested Paul Borrelli, and Mark and Joseph Ruff, accusing them of an illegal offshore gambling operation that took wagers in the United States. They often collected money at a Charlotte, N.Y., restaurant, The Marina Restaurant and Bar, authorities allege. Authorities claim that the ring handled as much as $76 million in bets. The three men are awaiting trial. Sources say that gambling records seized during June raids led Rochester-area authorities to Vanek and others who had possibly bet with the alleged gambling ring.
Vanek has spent time playing hockey in New York, and if he did in fact gamble through the ring (he isn’t suspected of betting on hockey), he could be used as a witness in the case. The NHL reserves the right to punish Vanek pending the investigation.
“Representatives of the U.S. Federal Government have asked for my cooperation in an investigation,” Vanek said in a statement through his agent. “I am not the subject of any investigation or prosecution. I will fully cooperate with the U.S. Federal authorities in their investigation or in any proceedings arising out of it.”
