3 plead guilty in probe of Conn. gambling rings

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Three Connecticut men have pleaded guilty for their roles in running illegal gambling businesses that federal authorities say were connected to the Gambino crime family.

Thirty-two-year-old Thomas Uva IV of Stamford and 43-year-old John Liquori of North Haven pleaded guilty to racketeering charges Thursday in U.S. District Court in Hartford. Fifty-four-year-old John Colello of Stamford pleaded guilty to operating an illegal gambling business.

Federal prosecutors say Uva and Liquori are alleged associates of the Gambino crime family.

The three men were among 20 people charged last year with being involved in an illegal Internet sports bookmaking operation and illegal card gambling clubs in Stamford and Hamden.

Uva, Liquori and Colello are scheduled to be sentenced on June 3. Five others have pleaded guilty.