wiretapes on gretzky

Wiretaps indicate Gretzky knew of betting

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- New Jersey wiretaps in the unfolding NHL betting scandal indicate Wayne Gretzky knew of his friend's alleged multimillion-dollar gambling ring.

Gretzky said earlier in the week he had no knowledge of any gambling allegations until his friend Rick Tocchet called him Monday night.

There is no evidence that the hockey hall-of-famer made any bets, the Newark Star-Ledger said. But, investigators are looking into whether he may have placed wagers through his wife, Janet Jones.

Jones was among the gamblers who placed more than $1.7 million in wagers in the past six weeks with the ring allegedly run by Tocchet and a New Jersey state trooper, sources said.

Jones put down $500,000 on games during that six-week period, including $75,000 on last Sunday's Super Bowl.

Gretzky is the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL and Tocchet is one of his assistant coaches.
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