A Honolulu car salesman admitted in U.S. District Court on Thursday that he was a bookie for two Internet sports betting websites based in Costa Rica.
Terrence Ching, 40, pleaded guilty to transmitting wagering information and to filing a false 2011 tax return.
He faces a maximum two-year prison term for the wagering charge and three-year term for the false tax return at sentencing in June. He must also pay the IRS $25,173 in unpaid taxes for 2011.
Federal prosecutor Larry Butrick said Ching reported income of $94,171 in 2011 but failed to report an additional $92,300 he earned as a bookie.
As part of his plea deal with the prosecutor, Ching agreed to cooperate in any further investigation of his Internet gambling activity involving the websites www.malibusports.com and www.betislandsports.com. He said he took bets from 30 to 40 players, the majority of which were for football, basketball and baseball.
Ching also faces forfeiting $330,483 in cash authorities seized from his home last May, $60,632 they seized from his bank account, an additional $245,000, seven firearms, five Rolex watches and other jewelry including gold, platinum and diamond rings, earrings, chains and pendants.
In exchange for his guilty pleas, the government promises not to charge Ching with gambling or money laundering for 2009-2012 or for filing false tax returns for 2009 and 2010. However, he has no immunity from civil penalties from the IRS. The government may also ask the court for a break at sentencing based on his cooperation.
