Former NFL Player Arrested in Internet Gambling Raid

A former NFL offensive lineman was one of five men arrested over the weekend in a bust of an alleged Internet gambling operation. Todd Burger, 37, of Freehold, allegedly collected gambling debts for suspect Anthony "Cheese" Pecoraro, 34, of Colts Neck.

Burger started all 16 games and both postseason games for the New York Jets in 1998. He played for the Chicago Bears from 1993-97, starting a total of 24 games. He was signed by the Bears as a free agent after playing at Penn State.

According to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and New Jersey State Police, who conducted a four-month joint investigation, the operation used the Web site www.beteastsports.com to process illegal wagers. Players used code names and Pecoraro set gambling limits, settled disputes and controlled the paying off and collecting of bets.

In addition to Burger and Pecoraro, authorities arrested Stephen Barone, 44, of Jackson; Daniel Alaimo, 51, of Metuchen; and Peter Carfaro, 26, of Brooklyn. Authorities seized about $70,000 in cash from the suspects in addition to computers and a .357 Magnum handgun.

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