Judge sentences former sports-betting fugitive to 10 years in prison

A Plantation man charged with running a sports betting operation in Collier and Broward counties received a 10-year prison sentence Monday.

Joseph Salvatore Santoro, 66, was on the lam for almost two years after his May 2004 conviction of 18 felony bookmaking charges.

At the sentencing in Collier County Circuit Court, prosecutor George Richards told Judge Cynthia Ellis that Santoro was allowed to remain out on bond after his conviction so he could have back surgery. So Santoro knew he could receive the maximum sentence if he didn't return for his sentencing, Richards said.

With a minimum of just over 3½ years in prison, Ellis chose to impose 10 years. Santoro could have received up to 15 years in prison on each of the 18 counts, which were enhanced to a higher degree of felony charge because he had a prior conviction for bookmaking.

Richards, an assistant statewide prosecutor based in Fort Myers, said Santoro was convicted of running a bookmaking operation that involved substantial bets, often $500 on regular season National Football League games and $2,500 on the Super Bowl.

"Of course, it was an under-cover officer who was making some of the bets. There were some basketball games too," Richards said.

The investigation began in 2003. Richards said Santoro was based out of the Fort Lauderdale area and would take bets from the Naples area, sometimes traveling to Collier County to pick up money from betters who had lost. He was arrested May 8, 2003, and convicted a year later.

"We thought there were some other people who were involved, but we could never really identify who, so it was kind of hard to charge him with conspiracy or anything like that," Richards said.

Before imposing the sentence, Ellis denied Santoro's motion for a new trial. Santoro had returned to Naples and was re-arrested Feb. 6, 2006, almost two years after his conviction. He had been arrested on unrelated charges in the New England area, Richards said, was given a bond there and returned to Naples on his own.

Santoro didn't say much in court in his own defense, although he took issue with the stiffness of the sentence.

"I just don't understand the severity of this. My wife was murdered in 1984, and (the people responsible) got less time than I'm getting here, even for a home invasion. I just don't understand why they're jumping all over me," Santoro told the judge.

Richards responded outside court by disputing Santoro's claim.

"He's blowing smoke. No one was even caught for it," Richards said.