Your opinion on reporting a bookie to the police

I'm in the process of reporting a bookie to the police for constantly harassing me at my work place.  This bookie used to be a friend of mine, but not anymore.

Couple of years ago, I introduced my nephew, who was renting a room in my house, to my bookie friend.  My nephew was working for him as one of his subagent (runner).  They had a 20% win-lose deal.  My nephew brings in customers, they win or lose, he takes or pay 20%.

So my nephew ran into a problem and accepted an undercover cop as a player.  He got busted, I bailed him out of jail and he was fined.  But he never outed my friend that's a bookie, who's also the main agent running the entire gambling ring.  Before he was arrested, some friends of his was still betting through their price-per-head website.  Total amount they loss was around $1100.  But my nephew couldn't collect that money from his friends because he was arrested and cannot be a part of this business anymore.

Long story short, my nephew moved back with his mom (my sister) in another state, my bookie friend said I should be responsible to pay him back that $1100 because he doesn't want to chalk it up as a loss.  I said look, he know the situation, my nephew got arrested, you should be thankful he didn't rat you out.  So yesterday was the 2nd time this month, that bookie harassed me at my work.  He came into my office and made up lies and told all my co-workers I owe him money because I lost some ball games and refused to pay up.  Luckily my boss wasn't in the office.

Should I report this to the police?  Will my former friend who's a bookie be locked behind bars because he's running a major gambling ring?

Thanks for the help.  I'm very irritated right now.

WOW.  Thats some bad luck.  I would think the bookie would just leave you alone.  Its a tough spot to be in.  Not really sure if reporting him will help any.  Maybe the 2 of you can compromise on some amount.  I agree though that would be very annoying having him constantly bother you especially at work.  GL!!!  Let us know what ends up being your decision and the outcome.

I have a friend that's a cop, he said this is classified as disturbing the peace, harassing, misdemeanor.  I'm going to file a restraining order on that asshole.  If he comes near me again at my house or work, he's going to jail.

Is punching him in the face is out of the question? Two places that are off limits as far as I am concerned, the job and the home. A restraining order is probably the right way to handle it. Either way, I would make it clear that a repeat visit won't be tolerated.

This is a rare situation where I'd say rat the bookie out for running the whole operation. If he wasn't a dickhead trying to squeeze this 1100 out of you and instead chalked it up to an operating loss/cost of business, which is what I have to imagine most bookies would do, then he deserves to get nailed.

$1100??!!!??  WTF.  I wouldn't have got the police involved, but made it VERY clear how unacceptable him showing up at your workplace was...but then again if he was throwing you under the bus to coworkers, fuck him,,,

Yea, I have no choice but to get the police involved.  My former friend that's the asshole bookie has a lot of gang mob affiliations.  My cop friend said it doesn't matter how bad ass he is or who he knows, cops always beat gangsters anyday.  

I just googled up bookies being arrested and saw this:

turn him in

Your nephew would have kept 15% of the $1100 himself, right?
So bookie is only out $935, not $1100. I'd tell him to collect himself from the losing players and leave you out of it. If he persists, turn him in.

No, $1375 was what my nephew's customers loss.  His win/loss is 20%.  $1375 x 0.8 = $1100.  So $1100 was what the bookie refuse to chalk it up as a loss.  My nephew was arrested, he didn't rat out my former friend that's the main agent bookie.  And now the bookie is being a fucking prick because he said he don't want to chalk it up as a loss.  

Pay the bum and make sure your nephew reimburses you on a week or monthly basis until it is paid.  Involving the police opens you up to other factors that you may not want to get involved with, like testifying in court and having knowledge of a continuing criminal enterprise.  If he indeed has organized crime ties, all the better to just pay it.  Some would say that's not the manly thing to do, but I think the smart thing to do.  I get the impression there is more to this than meets the eye or that you are telling us, but be that as it may, the smart thing is to pay the $1,100 and be done with it.  It will only get more complicated as it continues to roll down the hill and you are at the bottom of the hill when the crash comes.

so this guy has this huge operation and all these mob ties and he has to have some kid collect for him? Seems pretty weak to me

If this guy really has gang/mob affiliations then I would not involve the police.  Sounds like you already did though.  I also feel like there is more to this story.  I'm having a hard time believing this is all over $1100.

Mob ties

Mob is overrated.  If the police are involved, and more importantly a prosecutor, the last thing any "mob" wants to do is to get involved.  They will distance themselves as much as possible from this guy and let him take the fall. 

I'm with you, harrasing one at the workplace and threatening their livelyhood  (especially in this economy) is grounds for escalating this to the police.

If he really has mob ties I'd be concerned about reprecussions down the road for you and your nephew.  Also, why can't anyone else collect from those with an outstanding balance?

Wow. So many of you guys saying "rat him out ,turn him in". Really? The bookie is wrong for wanting his money? The nephew gets a pass on what he owes because he did the right thing and kept his mouth shut? I'm confused. You participate in an illegal activity and even further the escalation of the activity by introducing your nephew into the criminal enterprise, but then want to run to police because you feel the guy makes enough money already and should chalk this one up.

I agree the guy may be out of line going to your place of employment. I'm just curious, how long did you dodge him before he was forced to show up at your job?

The bookie is a dumb ass for going too far over a measly $1100.  He deserves to weeded out by the police.  Call it Darwinism theory for Bookies.

And yes, there is something to be said for someone not ratting out the other.  The gull on this prick to continue to go after him.   

and this is why i will never bet seriously..

Maybe one of his law enforcement clients will tell him to lay off.

My suggestion is to be a man about the situation. Two ways to be a man. Either pay the debt and collect from your cousin and move on or handle the problem yourself. Going to the cops will not get you anywhere. If I am not correct you have to prove he is a threat to get a restraining order. Part of the story is illegal gambling on you and your cousins part. I do not think a judge would grant a restraining order. Think this out before you do something you could handle yourself.