Rapoport to Spend Six Months in Jail, on Illegal Poker Charges

The illegal poker operator brought along two mixed martial arts fighters to a bettor’s house, to collect his $40,000 debt.

Brooklyn poker operator Kirill Rapoport will be spending the next six months in jail, after having admitted to running illegal American poker rooms. Aged 41, Rapoport is just one of the 30 people charged with being involved in a $100 million gambling operation tied to Russian mobsters.

Earlier this year, the accused pleaded guilty, hoping that he would avoid jail. However, it was of his violent behavior that eventually convinced Manhattan federal judge Jesse Furman that he belongs behind bars.

Goons as weapons

According to recent gambling news, Rapoport was seen going to a bettor’s house, accompanied by an associate and two mixed martial arts fighters. The man later admitted that he owed the poker operator between $35,00 0 and $40,000.

Despite Rapoport’s lawyer pointing out that there was no evidence of his client actually hurting anyone, Furman sentenced him to six months jail time, adding that “the use or threat of violence in our society is intolerable.”

While acknowledging that Rapoport “was no big fish” in the case, the Furman compared his goons to weapons and argued: “There is no question in my mind that the reason to have two mixed martial arts fighters with you is to send an unmistakable message.”