Gary Golden, who authorities say is a veteran figure in Pittsburgh organized crime, was arrested Friday for allegedly running a large gambling operation in the New Kensington and Arnold areas.
In the culmination of an undercover operation that lasted more than two years, state police charged Golden, 57, of New Kensington with running an illegal gambling ring and money laundering.
"Certainly, it hurts the crime family in Pittsburgh," said Cmdr. George Bevins of the state police organized crime division.
About 150 video gambling machines - illegally altered for payments to winning players - and $100,000 have been seized, police said.
Also charged in the operation was Duane Guida, 52, of Arnold, who is the chief executive officer of both High Fives Inc. and BALD Inc., according to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. Both corporations, which state police said are the same, operate several bars, including Bailey's Tavern and The El Paso in New Kensington, police said.
Six others have been charged in the ring, but police said they may arrest up to 12 others. The six worked as bartenders at Bailey's Tavern and allegedly distributed winnings, Bevins said.
Jamie Remaley, 44, of Leechburg; and Linda G. Furniss, 51, Donna Jean Potts, 37, and Roberta L. Taylor, 44, all of New Kensington, were each arraigned on two felony counts and other misdemeanor charges. Kimberly Sydlik, 26, of Natrona and Kimberly McHenry, 40, of Lower Burrell will face similar charges once they are in custody, police said.
Police began the undercover operation after they found illegal video gambling machines during a Dec. 2, 1999, raid at Twins Market in Arnold. As a result of the search, police discovered that Golden owned the machines.
An undercover officer began frequenting Bailey's and The El Paso, witnessing Golden, Guida and their alleged illegal activities.
Golden referred to Guida as his "partner," police said, but the state Corporation Bureau said Donna Golden was the secretary and treasurer of High Fives and BALD.
Police said Donna Golden is Golden's daughter.
On July 17, 2000, police raided Bailey's, Peanut's Tavern, Crow Bar, Sokol Club, the Westmoreland County Senior Citizen's Center and the Grotese Club in the New Kensington-Arnold area. Police said a total of 37 establishments were raided to give them supporting evidence to charge Golden and Guida.
Police said later they searched Guida's trash and were able to develop a lead that resulted in a search of Sonny's Sales and Service in Sharpsburg, Allegheny County. Owner Ralph Queck also identified Gary Golden as the one who most often paid him for the High Fives or BALD accounts.
Years ago the Pennsylvania Crime Commission described Golden as being deeply involved in racketeering in the Alle-Kiski Valley area. The now defunct agency described a rapid rise to prominence in the local LaCosa Nostra organization, mostly through gambling and drug trafficking of cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs.
The 1980 Report said Golden's convictions date back to 1970, when he was arrested for "keeping a gambling house."
He is the first cousin of Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti - a reputed senior member of the Pittsburgh-based organized crime family.
In the early 1980s Golden was convicted in U.S. District Court on racketeering charges and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. That sentence was eventually reduced to 25 years. He was released after about 10 years.
Golden, Guida and three of the bartenders were arraigned Friday morning at District Justice Frank Pallone's office in New Kensington. Golden's bail was set at $25,000 straight bond and Guida's at $20,000 straight bond, and both were posted.
Furniss was arraigned at District Justice Lawrence Franzi's office and released on her own recognizance. The other bartenders' bonds were each set at $2,000, and all were posted at Pallone's office.
