A Nassau County grand jury indicted five Long Island men, including a former New York police officer, on promoting gambling and conspiracy charges related to an illegal online sports betting operation.

Prosecutors said the 63-count indictment released Thursday came after a 14-month investigation in which wiretaps and surveillance operations revealed thousands of dollars wagered at the online sports book.

“These five individuals allegedly operated a sophisticated online sports betting operation in Nassau County, profiting from hundreds of bets,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement.

The Nassau County Racquet and Organized Crime Bureau began investigating the sports book in September 2023, which prosecutors say was operated by Anthony Frascone, 75, of East Meadow and Anthony Pellegrino, 59, of Merrick.

The indictment alleges that Pellegrino created accounts through a website to manage bets and winnings, including a portion given to sports betting operators and given to Pellegrino. One gambler owed more than $150,000 in gambling debts, Donnelly said.

Prosecutors said there are a limited number of state licenses for legitimate sportsbooks, which are monitored and subject to state taxes.

Also charged in the case was former NYPD Sgt. Joseph Pietaro, 57, of West Islip, who was charged with 50 misdemeanor counts of promoting gambling and one misdemeanor count of conspiracy. His lawyer declined to comment.

Frascone and Pellegrino were charged with 61 counts of promoting gambling, criminal usury and conspiracy to commit felonies. Both pleaded not guilty Thursday in Nassau County Court and were released on their own recognizance. Both could face between 5 and 15 years in prison if convicted.

Frascone, who authorities say was associated with the Bonanno organized crime family, pleaded guilty in 2005 to federal corruption charges and, in 2013, pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy charges. He was sentenced in 2014 to almost three years in prison.

Frascone’s attorney, Murray Richman, who did not represent him in the previous cases, said sports betting laws have changed.

“I was under the impression that gambling is legal in New York State. It is naive to believe that if the state can participate, why not the individual?” Richman said. “Mr. Frascone is innocent. He is a decent human being and we will eventually beat these charges.”

Pellegrino’s attorney, Dennis Lemke, said Pellegrino is a retired teacher and had no association with organized crime. He said none of the charges involved drugs or violence.

“There’s not much to say,” Lemke said. “You’d have to think the district attorney’s office was hoping to find something much bigger in association with a crime boss.”

Philip Carucci, 59, of Levittown, and Frank LoNigro, 51, of Merrick, helped settle debts to gamblers, prosecutors said. Each of them has pleaded not guilty and faces between one and three years in prison if convicted.

Carucci was charged with felony promoting gambling, possession of gambling and misdemeanor conspiracy. His attorney could not be reached for comment.

LoNigro was charged with six counts of felony promoting gambling and misdemeanor promoting gambling and conspiracy. His attorney, Eric Franz, said: “Mr. LoNigro is a law-abiding citizen. He runs a restaurant and all he does is feed people.”

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.