By Patricia Demchak
A Fresh Meadows father and son accused of leading an illegal sports gambling ring pleaded guilty to separate gambling charges in Suffolk County Superior Court April 15, the Suffolk district attorney’s office said this week.
David Sharon, 63, pleaded guilty to promoting gambling and faces up to four years in prison. His son, Jay Sharon, 33, pleaded guilty to attempting to promote gambling and will be sentenced to a conditional discharge, said Bob Clifford, a spokesman for the Suffolk County DA.
They were scheduled to be sentenced June 14 as were five other men from Queens and one from Long Island who also pleaded guilty to their participation in the Queens-based gambling operation, according to the DA’s office.
Victor Edmund, 74, and Jerome Piansky, 61, both of Flushing, pleaded guilty to promoting gambling, a felony. Charles Oshiro, 33, of Levittown, L.I., Jonathon Piansky, 32, of Rego Park, and Gary Kashkin, 41, and Anthony Bittner, 44, of Bayside all pleaded guilty to attempting to promote gambling and will receive individual sentences of either probation or conditional discharge, Clifford said.
The defendants either declined comment or could not be contacted, although Jonathon Piansky’s wife said she was not surprised by the charges.
The Suffolk County DA’s squad investigators arrested the men Feb. 4 as the result of a special “Operation Super Sunday” investigation that began back in October 2001 and targeted sports gambling, District Attorney Anthony J. Spota said in a statement.
For eight years, the eight men allegedly had operated a $30 million-a-year sports betting ring that extended across state and international boundaries, Spota said.
In addition to their upcoming sentences, the men will also forfeit a total of $150,000 worth of goods seized in connection with the case, including vehicles and cash, Clifford said.
Reach reporter Patricia Demchak by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 155.
