Federal prosecutors have asked a federal judge in Brooklyn to schedule guilty plea hearings for 12 defendants accused of taking part in an alleged NBA-related scheme that cheated players during illegal poker games held across the United States.
Shane Hennen, a Las Vegas bettor and card player, is expected to plead guilty in the federal case, according to a court document filed today. Hennen was charged in indictments involving multiple NBA betting scandals, an alleged college basketball point-shaving scheme, and other crimes.
In a July 14 letter, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York told U.S. District Judge Ramon E. Reyes Jr. that Nelson Alvarez, Louis Apicella, John Gallo, Marco Garzon, Jamie Gilet, Shane Hennen, Horatio Hu, Zhen Hu, Nicholas Minucci, Michael Renzulli, Angelo Ruggiero Jr., and Julius Ziliani are expected to plead guilty to Count One of the indictment.
Count One charges conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors contend the conspiracy operated from at least 2019 and relied on sophisticated technology to secretly identify players' cards before relaying that information to coordinated cheating teams.
The operation allegedly targeted illegal poker games in New York City and other locations around the country, leaving victims with losses that prosecutors previously estimated at more than $7.15 million. Investigators allege the defendants used altered card-shuffling machines, hidden wireless devices, and other technology to determine cards, predict winning hands, and send information in real time to players seated at the tables.
The defendants allegedly communicated through covert signals, giving them an advantage over opponents who believed they were participating in ordinary underground poker games.
The indictment, unsealed in October 2025, charged 31 people and alleged ties to members and associates of organized crime families. Court filings describe two recurring Manhattan poker locations, identified as Washington Place and Lexington Avenue, where prosecutors say rigged games regularly took place.
Federal prosecutors have also alleged that organized crime figures approved or protected some of the gambling operations, collected portions of the proceeds, and helped recover gambling debts.
The government has not said when the requested plea hearings will be scheduled.
