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Everett man indicted in gambling ring case

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 5, 2009 12:20 PM

By Globe Staff

An Everett man ran a series of illegal high-stakes poker games out of a building on Main Street in that city and a February raid found numerous players inside, along with playing cards, chips and tens of thousands of dollars in cash, Middlesex County prosecutors said today.

Edward Gravalese, 34, allegedly operated an illegal gambling ring associated with organized crime, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a statement.

Gravalese has been indicted and faces arraignment June 17 in Woburn Superior Court on charges of organizing and promoting a gambling syndicate, keeping a gaming house, and conspiracy to keep a gaming house, the statement said.

Leone said Gravalese allegedly "operated a highly organized and active illegal gambling ring," noting that it was the third such ring uncovered in the county in six months.

In a Feb. 2 raid, State Police, after an eight-month investigation, executed a search warrant at 153B Main St., finding employees of Gravalese as well as a number of players, the statement said. Gravalese told police he paid $1,000 a month to another man for the right to use the site of the card game.

Gravalese told police he was responsible for the card game and was its organizer and promoter, prosecutors said.

There is no listing for an Edward Gravalese in the telephone directory for the Everett area.