Community Corner

Toms River Deputy Public Works Director Charged in Gambling Ring

Alleged widespread gambling operation yielded $1 million per week, authorities said

Toms River’s Deputy Public Works Director faces numerous gambling and racketeering charges for his alleged role in a $1 million-a-week organized gambling enterprise operating in Monmouth County, authorities announced Tuesday.

The 18-month “Operation Shore Bet” investigation yielded charges for 22 individuals, the seizure of a dozen vehicles and more than $500,000 in cash, and the freezing of bank accounts used in the alleged gambling ring, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a news release.

Among those charged was Anthony Benyola, 43, who has served Toms River as its Deputy Public Works Director for the past five years. He was arrested at his Toms River home Monday and charged with second degree racketeering conspiracy, third degree promoting gambling, third degree possession of gambling records, first degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and second degree conspiracy to commit the foregoing offenses, according to officials.

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A 2009 BMW 750 series and 2011 Lexus LX5 were seized from Benyola’s Toms River home, according to authorities.

Benyola remains jailed in Monmouth County on $200,000 bail with no 10 percent option and requires a bail source hearing, the prosecutor’s office said. Initial appearances for those charged is set for Tuesday afternoon.

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Benyola has been suspended with pay from his Toms River Department of Public Works job, which is in accordance with his union contract, according to township Business Administrator Paul Shives.  

“Anthony was a good, trusted employee, but we haven’t received word on the official charges yet, so it’s difficult to discuss this matter yet,” said Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher Tuesday morning.

The alleged gambling ring was well organized and extensive, reaching beyond Monmouth County into Somerset, Essex, and Hudson Counties and the State of New York, according to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

“Members of the enterprise laundered the proceeds of their criminal activity through various methods to avoid reporting requirements and to mask the true ownership and source of the ill-gotten gains,” Gramiccioni said in a statement. “Additionally, it was discovered members of the organization also engaged in the sale and distribution of marijuana and prescription drugs.”

Authorities said that “sophisticated electronic resources,” including websites to track wagering and record profits and losses, were used in the alleged gambling ring.

Richard Crossan, 55, of Hillsborough, and Anthony Gagliardi, 38, of Monmouth Beach, are accused of acting as co-conspirators in the racketeering enterprise, according to officials. 


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