The State : 4 Accused as Bookies

An alleged $20-million-a-year East Bay bookmaking operation was broken with the arrest of four men, one of them a prominent sports promotion figure, Oakland police said. Investigators said the operation was among the largest bookie rings in Oakland, accepting bets from throughout California. Police said suspect Edward Bercovich, 43, of Piedmont was the leader of the operation. Bercovich, of the pioneer local furniture-selling family, has promoted sporting events for years, including professional boxing, and sponsored youth athletic events. He and other members of his family made an unsuccessful bid to buy the Oakland A’s in 1978. Also arrested on bookmaking counts were Richard Rose, 42, of Oakland; Bruce Saltzine, 38, Alameda, and Bernard Pinsley, Oakland. Detectives said seized records indicated that bets had been made with Bercovich by leading sports and entertainment figures.