Trooper in Tocchet Case Gets 5 for Gambling

James Harney, a former New Jersey state trooper who admitted to running a sports gambling ring with Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet, was sentenced today to five years in a state prison, according to the Associated Press:

Under a plea agreement he struck with prosecutors on Aug. 3, 2006, he could have been sentenced to up to seven years in prison for conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct. He got a break because he cooperated with authorities. Under state rules, he could be eligible for parole in about a year.

Deputy Attorney General Mark Eliades said his help was good, but not extraordinary.

Harney's defense lawyer, Craig Mitnick, told Judge Thomas S. Smith that his client deserved prison time for his conduct -- but that it should be less because he helped authorities. Mitnick said Harney gave authorities details of the case they otherwise would not have known about and said that without that evidence, Tocchet and a third man, James Ulmer, might not have pleaded guilty in the case.

The judge gave Harney, 41, the minimum for a second-degree crime. The AP reports that both Tocchet and Ulmer are due to be sentenced this month, but could dodge prison because of their plea deals.

Traditionally, this would be the point in which I make a joke about Janet Gretzky being upset because she had the under at four years for Harney, but hasn't the poor girl been through enough?

Previously on FanHouse:
Rick Tocchet Pleads Guilty to Running Gambling Ring.