Belle Lost Large Sum Gambling
Chicago White Sox slugger Albert Belle lost as much $300,000 gambling with two men in Cleveland during a two-year period while he was playing with the Indians, a prosecutor said at Cleveland.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James V. Moroney disclosed Belle’s gambling during a sentencing hearing Tuesday for Nicholas J. Zambataro, 37, and Michael Kling, 30.
The former Indian slugger left Cleveland after the 1996 season to sign with the White Sox.
Zambataro and Kling, golfing buddies of Belle’s, each received a one-month sentence, two years of probation and a fine of $3,000 for failing to report gambling income from Belle on federal income tax returns.
Under questioning by U.S. District Judge David D. Dowd Jr., Moroney said Zambataro received $150,000 to $200,000 from Belle, and Kling received about $100,000.
Under a plea agreement, Zambataro and Kling pleaded guilty only to charges dealing with gambling with Belle in 1995, not the entire $300,000. Belle estimated he lost $75,000 to $80,000 to Kling in 1995, Moroney said.
Belle’s agent did not return telephone calls Wednesday.
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