A federal investigation into two well-known alleged bookmakers has already produced fascinating details, including a husband offering up his freedom for his wife’s, million dollar bonds and Caribbean mansions —and there’s still a long way to go.
Airplanes, property and cash have been seized, and new evidence is being discovered daily in the Dept. of Justice’s indictment of Bartice “Luke” King and Spiros “The Greek” Athanas.
A suggested trial date of February 2015 has been set, according to court documents published Friday.
King is the alleged owner of the now-closed offshore sportsbook BetLegends.eu. According to court documents, King became aware of the pending indictment in 2011. He then allegedly began removing valuables from his home in Spring, Texas, and told several of his close associates by email to flee the United States.
When King’s wife, defendant Serena King, was arrested on April 10, he offered to return to the US in exchange for his wife’s release. The DOJ declined, and both husband and wife spent time behind bars before being released on bond.
Luke King posted $1 million cash just last week and was released to his Southern Texas home. His release terms include forfeiting his passport and home incarceration.
Athanas is known in the gaming industry as the head of offshore book TheGreek.com, which remains active but no longer accepts US bettors. Athanas is respected throughout the industry and has close ties to Las Vegas. He is also out on bond.
The Dept. of Justice has presented more than 147,000 pages and approximately 114 gigabytes of data as evidence in its case against King, Athanas and the 53 other defendants named in the indictment filed on March 20.
Friday’s status updates suggests more is to come, and it has the offshore sportsbook world wondering who’s next.
An early-April search of Athanas’ New Hampshire residence by FBI agents produced additional evidence that is still being examined. Six computers and encrypted devices were among the evidence seized. The warrant for that search was obtained in a separate investigation out of the Albany, N.Y., office, according to court documents.
After BetLegends.eu was shut down, another offshore book, WagerWeb.ag, took over the account. This appears to have irritated US attorney Susan Cox, who told the court that King was a flight risk and had simply relocated his gambling operation from Panama to Costa Rica. King reportedly owns two houses in Costa Rica, including a mansion located next door to the President of Costa Rica.
WagerWeb.ag is based in Costa Rica.
The parties from both sides of the case are scheduled to meet Thursday.