A Portland man connected to what police are calling Maine’s largest illegal gambling operation has pleaded guilty to federal charges.
William Flynn, 76, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to running an illegal gambling business. He faces five years in prison, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank.
According to court records, between 2010 and April 7, 2017, Flynn participated in Stephen Mardigan’s illegal sports gambling business operating in Portland. Mardigan, who pleaded guilty last month to running an illegal gambling operation and money laundering, received bets on professional and college sporting events for 14 years. According to the release, Flynn coordinated bets with Mardigan, shared profits and losses with him, and communicated regularly with him about sports lines, bets taken and other aspects of the business. Mardigan also served as the “bank” for Flynn’s bets.
Flynn has agreed to forfeit nearly $75,000, and will be sentenced after a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
Mardigan is still awaiting sentencing. He could face 28 years in prison and will have to forfeit hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash seized by federal agents last year, give up real estate worth at least $5.6 million and pay restitution of $1.3 million under the outline of a plea deal.
The case was investigated by a network of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI; Portland, South Portland, Lewiston, Westbrook, Bangor and Cape Elizabeth police; the Maine State Police; the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
