Conshohocken couple sentenced in "Gentleman Gambler" racket

A federal judge in Philadelphia on Tuesday sentenced a Conshohocken couple for their roles in the Mastronardo bookmaking organization.

Joseph Vitelli, 71, was sentenced to five months in prison and three years' supervised release. His wife, Anna Rose, 67, got five months in prison and three years' supervised release. The couple owned J&A Check Cashing, a Philadelphia business the Mastronardo organization used to launder checks totaling more than $500,000. The couple also allowed the Mastronardo organization to use a second-floor office to run the illegal gambling business. At its peak, the organization had more than 1,000 bettors and was generating millions of dollars a year.

The couple were among 15 defendants, including Joseph V. Mastronardo Jr., the ringleader known as the "Gentleman Gambler," who pleaded guilty to racketeering and other offenses in the case. - Inquirer staff