Report: Second man accused in NHL betting ring to plead guilty in New Jersey

Thursday, November 30th 2006, 10:56 am

By: News On 6

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) _ A second man accused of running a gambling ring with former hockey star Rick Tocchet will plead guilty and agree to cooperate with authorities, according to a report published Thursday.

James Ulmer will plead guilty Friday in state Superior Court to promoting gambling and conspiracy and faces up to 364 days in county jail, according to The Star-Ledger of Newark, which cited law enforcement officials who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing.

Ulmer, 41, a businessman who lives in Sweedesboro, would be the second man to plead guilty in the case, which authorities have said involved bettors including current NHL players and actress Janet Jones, the wife of hockey great Wayne Gretzky.

Ulmer's lawyer, Edwin Jacobs, did not return calls to The Associated Press. The Star-Ledger said he also did not return calls to the newspaper.

In August, a former state trooper, James Harney, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct. He faces up to seven years in prison.

Tocchet and Ulmer are the only remaining people charged in the case. No alleged bettors have been charged.

Tocchet's lawyer, Kevin Marino, did not comment Thursday.

Authorities announced in February they had taken down the gambling ring, which they said had been running for years. In the 40 days ending Feb. 5, they said, $1.7 million changed hands.

The case shocked the hockey world, but NHL officials say there is no evidence of bets on that sport.

After he was charged, Tocchet took an indefinite leave of absence as Gretzky's top assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes.