Builder gets jail in sports-betting ring

Builder gets jail in sports-betting ring
Defendant's gambling addiction main topic of his, others' pleas to judge before sentencing
Holly Herman
Reading Eagle

The president of a Spring Township home-building company was sentenced Thursday in Berks County Court to 4½ to 23 months in the county jail for laundering money through his business in an illegal sports-betting operation that handled several hundred thousand dollars.

Christopher J. Naso, president of Hearthstone Homes Inc., pleaded guilty before Judge Scott D. Keller to bookmaking and engaging in unlawful activity.

Naso, who had been free on bail, was escorted from the courtroom to begin serving his sentence.

Investigators said Naso, 43, of the 1500 block of Meadowlark Road, Wyomissing, and other participants in the gambling operation took bets mostly on collegiate and professional basketball and football. They said the bets averaged several hundred dollars each.

Keller, who also ordered Naso to serve five years of probation, said Naso's friends and family members are the victims of Naso's behavior.

"We have facts that involve thousands of dollars," Keller said. "This is a long-standing involvement."

Assistant District Attorney Adrian S. Shchuka had asked for a prison sentence of nine to 23 months plus five years of probation.

Shchuka said that between Jan. 28 and March 2, state police and county detectives intercepted 300 telephone conversations in which Naso accepted bets or settled accounts with bettors. Shchuka said the wiretaps proved Naso was a bookmaker and a bettor.

Shchuka said Naso designated a co-defendant, Timothy M. Lepore, 36, of Stone Ridge Road, Spring Township, as an employee of his business who was paid $40,000.

Naso apologized to the court and his family.

"I am deeply sorry," Naso said. "I made some bad choices. I was betting excessively with Mr. (Timothy) Lepore for several years."

Naso said he has been in business for 20 years, has built 300 homes and has been battling a gambling addiction.

"I don't believe I am at the point where I have to place a bet at a local casino," he said. "I have an excessive habit of betting on football.

"I've been gambling for 20 years. I am an award winner for being an outstanding home builder."

Naso said he will no longer be able to obtain lines of credit for his business because of the case.

Naso's attorney, Robert J. Kirwan, asked for five years of probation because Naso suffers from a gambling addiction.

"His gambling addiction has wreaked havoc," Kirwan said. "Naso cooperated with the district attorney's office. He has accepted responsibility."

Kirwan said Naso has no prior record and is a quality builder whose business has been suffering as a result of a lagging economy.

Naso's father, Vincent J. Naso, said his son graduated from the University of Notre Dame and had never been in trouble.

"I did not know he had a gambling problem," the elder Naso said. "He built a business and he is patient. He made a mistake, a stupid mistake."

The father said his son is an excellent builder.

Several friends and business associates of Naso's asked for probation.

Stephanie LaManna said Naso is a good friend whom she trusts with her children.

"I think he has learned his lesson," LaManna said.

Larry E. Hoffa, Naso's accountant, said Naso is a good businessman.

Three other co-defendants have pleaded guilty to illegal bookmaking and making wagers over the telephone.

Thad A. Haines, 36, of the 600 block of Vester Place, Sinking Spring, and Michael A. Hasselhan, 33, of the 800 block of Woodchuck Lane, Exeter Township, were sentenced to five years of probation each.

Scott V. Krail, 38, of Lansdale, Montgomery County, was sentenced to three years of probation. He worked for a bookmaker in California and as a runner for the local operation, investigators said.

Others charged in the gambling operation and awaiting trial are Lepore; Frank C. Formando, 52, of the 300 block of Grande Valley Road, Exeter Township; Samuel G. Padovani, 30, of the first block of Ironstone Drive, Exeter Township; and Kevin M. Matthews, 62, of the 900 block of Golf Course Road, Robeson Township. All are free on bail.