City announces break up of alleged multi-million dollar gambling operation

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Investigators say for Gary Creagh, 66, it was truly a family business. His son, daughter, brother and cousin were all allegedly part of a huge, city-wide gambling operation.

"The operation run by Gary Creagh Sr. generated millions of dollars of illicit profits," said DA Kelley Hodge.

"This criminal enterprise was really a thorn in the Philadelphia Police Department's vice squad side," said deputy police commissioner Dennis Wilson.

The DA says the city-wide numbers scheme operated out of 40 locations, including a corner property with a gate at 17th and Wharton in South Philly.

"The operation was highly organized and located in unmarked buildings throughout the city. Typically, in low-income neighborhoods," DA Hodge said.

According to investigators, Creagh and his relatives also ran numbers out of a location on Ridge Ave. and on Germantown Ave.

"Most of the people who placed bets at these locations were on a fixed income," said Sgt. Gerry Rocks of the DA's office.

"You had to know what you had to know to be able to come play numbers," a neighbor said.

Investigators say Creagh owned this home in Moorestown N.J., and others at the Jersey shore, in New York and Las Vegas. He had high-end cars including a Jaguar, a Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Aston Martin.

"His lifestyle was significantly different than the people who worked for him and the people who placed bets," said assistant DA Raymond Driscoll.

Creagh was released on $250,000 bail. His attorney, Perry Demarco Sr., says he will fight the charges in court. The DA would not say if the city will try to use forfeiture to seize those luxury homes and cars.