Tocchet still in legal limbo in high-profile betting ring
The Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. (Feb 7, 2007)
A year after New Jersey authorities busted a multi-million-dollar sports betting ring that implicated hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's wife as a bettor, the most high-profile suspect -- former NHL star Rick Tocchet -- remains in legal limbo.
While the two other men charged in the case have pleaded guilty, Tocchet has neither admitted guilt nor been indicted by a grand jury. The charges were announced with fanfare on Feb. 7, 2006 in what authorities dubbed "Operation Slapshot."
The case shocked the hockey world, but NHL officials say there is no evidence of bets on that sport. Authorities have said bettors in the case will not be charged. Both Gretzky and his wife have denied any wrongdoing.
The state attorney general's office said this month that the investigation is active and proceeding normally. Even two changes in attorney general have not slowed work on the high-profile case, said a spokesman for the office.
Tocchet's lawyer, Kevin Marino, did not return several phone calls seeking comment. His client, remains on indefinite leave from his job as an assistant coach to Gretzky on the Phoenix Coyotes.