Police conduct illegal gambling raid at West Babylon Sons of Italy Lodge
Following a lengthy investigation, Suffolk Police closed down what they described as an illegal gambling operation at the William Paca Lodge, 841 Sunrise Hwy., West Babylon. They arrested a Nesconset man yesterday, charging him with promoting gambling, 2nd degree, a class A misdemeanor. Police gave this account.
Several nights each week, 25 to 35 patrons would participate in nightly “Texas Hold‘em” style cash games and tournaments where “the house” would take a profit from the card playing.
Undercover operations and continual surveillance of the establishment resulted in the search warrant being executed by the Suffolk County Police Fifth Precinct Crime Section in cooperation with the Emergency Services Unit, the First Precinct Crime Section and COPE Units and the District Attorney Section.
The man overseeing the operation, Domenick Abbate, 29, of 8 Bonarck Lane, Nesconset, was arrested on Sunday, and more than $10,000 cash was confiscated. Also confiscated were poker tables, cards, chips, chairs, televisions, a surveillance system, a computer, and paper records of the gambling activity.
The William Paca Sons of Italy Lodge has held Las Vegas Nights at its facilities in the past, but these met with state and local laws governing this type of not-for-profit fundraisers. Suffolk Police had no information on whether the members and officials of the Order Sons of Italy Lodge were aware of the fact that Abbate was conducting illegal activities or how he was granted use of their premises. Police referred questions to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. A spokesman for that office was not immediately available for comment. No one answered calls made to the Lodge, but police did say that the investigation is continuing.
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