Two men with Haverhill ties face felony and other charges allegedly related to illegal gambling after a state grand jury handed down indictments March 26.
Brian D. Cormier was indicted on a dozen charges, including such felonies as conspiracy, operating an enterprise crime, involved in a place for registering bets, managing a gaming enterprise and six counts of money laundering. Christopher P. Zielinski was indicted on two felony charges—conspiracy and money laundering.
The charges stem from an investigation a year ago which saw police interviewing a number of residents and business owners and asking gambling-related questions. Court records show the indictments began in Suffolk County and were transferred to Essex County Superior Court. Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Celio served as prosecutor. The case is being prosecuted by Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell’s office.
Besides felonies, Cormier was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of filing false tax returns.
No arraignment dates have yet been scheduled.
According to state statutes, an enterprise crime relates to “a pattern of criminal enterprise activity or through the collection of an unlawful debt…which affect, licensed gaming.” Possible penalties include imprisonment for not more than 15 years or by a fine of not more than $25,000 or by both imprisonment and fine. Operating a place for registering bets carries such penalties as a fine of not more than $3,000 or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than three years.
State law draws a distinction between those operating a gambling enterprise and those “who merely avail themselves of such facilities or services for the purpose of making a bet or wager and do not otherwise provide or assist in the provision of such facilities or services.”