In November 2010, Mastronardo was sentenced to 8 – 59.5 months for violating the probation stemming from his 2006 guilty plea in a local (Montgomery County, PA) case. Unlike the 2006 case, Montco officials have deferred to federal officials who have yet to charge Mastronardo in the current investigation. The 2006 case garnered considerable attention because Montco authorities executed 24 related search warrants resulting in a record $2.7 million being seized from Mastronardo’s betting operation. Prosecutors opted to charge Mastronardo and his brother with misdemeanors rather than with felonies (which were applicable) because the brothers forfeited the $2.7 million. Though facing 10 years in prison, Joe Vito received 6 months of house arrest followed by more than six years of probation.*
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| Joseph “Joe Vito” Mastronardo |
The primary figure in Gaming the Game is former pro gambler – and longtime Joe Vito associate/partner – Jimmy Battista, who revered Mastronardo for his brilliant mind and no-nonsense business approach. Much of Joe Vito’s impressive career is presented in GTG, and the 2006 Montco situation is examined in the greatest detail to date (for reasons relating to Jimmy Battista’s activities vis-à-vis Mastronardo, none of which are as yet public knowledge).
12/21/20 UPDATE: Joe Vito was released from jail on December 20, 2010, and will serve the remainder of his term under house arrest. Mastronardo, who must wear an electronic ankle bracelet and request permission to leave his home, is still awaiting the outcome of a federal investigation into his gambling activities.
*Note: I have not linked to related articles that appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer or Philadelphia Daily News, even though they were almost always the most substantive, because they are no longer available online without a subscription to their archives. For those parties who have such access, see the work of George Anastasia (Inquirer) and Kitty Caparella (Daily News).
