Story Archive

A Roll of the Dice

Adam Meyer, 44, a “betting consultant” in Southwest Ranches, Fla., called himself the “sports consultant to the stars,” with an “unheard-of win percentage” of more than 63 percent. He charged clients $250,000 for betting advice, and then, federal authorities say, performed elaborate ruses to con one client out of even more money, such as faking a Chinese accent to convince Gary Sadoff, 66, of Fond du Lac, Wisc., that Meyer was in danger of being killed by a bookie. In all, investigators say, he conned Sadoff, a liquor distributor and a member of the Board of Directors of National Exchange Bank & Trust, out of $45 million over four years. Meyer bought a house, nine expensive cars, and other luxury items, but lost most of the money gambling. Meyer’s attorneys suggested 5 years was plenty of punishment, but the judge in the case gave him 8 years in prison — plus ordered him to pay $45 million in restitution. (RC/South Florida Sun-Sentinel) ...After the judge rejected a “friend of the court” brief from “Mr. Wong” who offered a “one-time double-or-nothing” plea deal.