Revere bookie pleads guilty

REVERE – A Revere bookie pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to racketeering charges and will likely face nearly four years in prison as part of a plea agreement, authorities said.Philip Puopolo, 52, allegedly operated an illegal gambling business out of the Revere Businessmen’s Association, a private social club in Revere, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan’s Office.On Thursday, Puopolo pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton to 14 felony counts, including participating in a racketeering enterprise, using extortionate means to collect debts, operating illegal gambling businesses and using interstate telephone calls and the Internet to transmit wagering information.Judge Gordon scheduled sentencing for Feb. 18. According to the plea agreement, the prosecution and defense jointly recommended a sentence of 46 months of incarceration, a $10,000 fine and $4,000 restitution to one victim among other particulars.In a press release, Sullivan’s office said Puopolo was a bookmaker and “physically imposing collector of alleged debts” and assisted by other individuals.Authorities say some customers would call one of Puopolo’s associates at a local phone number but others would use an off-shore based Web site or toll-free phone number to place bets with Puopolo’s ring.Among the allegations, authorities said Puopolo operated an illegal video poker machine business at the Revere Businessmen’s Association.