Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
“These weren’t nickel-and-dime guys.” That a quote from Genesee County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jerry Brewster last week referring to two Batavia, New York firefighters accused of running a bookmaking operation.
Firefighters Gregory Phillips, 39, and Brian Bordinaro, 43, have been formally charged with possession of gambling records, although authorities have made claims that additional charges will be forthcoming as the investigation unfolds. Philips was also charged with possession of cocaine discovered during a search of his home. Both have been suspended from the Batavia Fire Department.
Police allege the operation took bets on professional and college sports, and that some of the activities took place in Batavia’s fire stations while the defendants were on duty. A total of four search warrants were executed during the investigation including one at a fire station.
In an effort to keep the allegations in perspective, defense attorney Larry Andolina made a point of telling reporters: “As I was leaving the Sheriff’s Department today, there’s a sign with an arrow that says Batavia Downs racetrack and casino, and points that way. If you drive down that way there’s lottery tickets at every corner. There’s Powerball everywhere. I just don’t understand it.”
Incidentally, they are not the first firefighters to be caught bookmaking on duty. Remember in 2010 a South San Francisco BC was charged with taking bets from battalion HQ.
More on the Batavia story.
