Latest news with #JanetJones
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky's wife Janet Jones dragged into $1.7M mob-linked gambling scandal
Janet Jones linked to massive 2006 sports betting ring (Getty Images) In early 2006, the National Hockey League found itself blindsided by a scandal that threatened its already fragile public image post-lockout. The controversy wasn't over hits or contracts—but rather, high-stakes gambling, and it dragged "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky's family into the media storm. Janet Jones linked to massive 2006 sports betting ring in ' Operation Slap Shot ' A t the heart of the investigation, dubbed 'Operation Slap Shot,' was Janet Jones—Gretzky's wife, a former actress turned hockey royalty. Authorities alleged that Jones was one of several individuals involved in an illegal nationwide sports betting ring that was organized in part by New Jersey state trooper James Harney and former NHL player Rick Tocchet—Gretzky's top assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes. The accusations rocked the NHL just as it tried to rebuild fan trust after a season-long lockout. More than 1,000 bets totaling over $1.7 million were reportedly placed on professional and college football and basketball—not hockey, a distinction league officials were quick to stress. Gretzky publicly defended his wife and denied any involvement. 'First of all, my wife is my best friend,' he told reporters. 'My love for her is deeper than anything. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo The reality is, I'm not involved, I wasn't involved and I'm not going to be involved.' He further denied that Jones had ever placed bets on his behalf. The case painted an uncomfortable picture. Police claimed Tocchet and Harney operated the ring, with Tocchet allegedly financing it and funneling illegal bets back to New Jersey. Tocchet, well-respected in NHL circles, was summoned to meet with league commissioner Gary Bettman and later faced charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and promoting gambling. Despite the magnitude of the investigation, both Harney and fellow accused James Ulmer were released after posting bail, while authorities seized $27,000 in cash and multiple bank accounts linked to the operation. Law enforcement also hinted at connections to organized crime in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. Also Read: Wayne Gretzky's daughter Paulina Gretzky's Marbella photos wow fans as she shares sneak peek of new song While Gretzky and Jones attempted to steer clear of the legal blowback, the controversy left a permanent stain on that NHL season. It remains one of the most sensational off-ice scandals in league history—and a moment when even the Great One couldn't avoid the glare of the spotlight. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
RNZ News
29-06-2025
- RNZ News
Whānau of missing 17-year-old Whetu Bennett 'distraught'
Whetu Bennett at age 14, ready to attend her school ball. The 17-year-old went missing in Auckland six days ago. Photo: Supplied / Police The sister of a missing Waikato 17-year-old says it's out-of-character for Whetu Bennett to run away without keeping in contact with whānau. Janet Jones said she is distraught at her "baby sister's" disappearance from outside an Auckland mall at midday last Tuesday. Whetu grew up in Te Awamutu and had been living with her mother in Morrinsville before moving to Auckland three weeks ago with her 28-year-old boyfriend. Speaking to RNZ from Auckland on Sunday, where the family is gathering to search for Whetu, Jones said the couple had been in a relationship for more than two years. "They were going to start a life up here and they were both looking for work. Their aim was to move up here, get a home and get a job and start a life together." She said the pair were living together in Kelston but on the day Whetu went missing they did not go home together from LynnMall where they'd been shopping. "He's [Whetu's boyfriend] told me... they went out in the morning and around lunchtime they had an argument outside of the mall so he said he has gotten on the bus to go home to take the stuff home and Whetu went a separate way to what he went to, and that was the last time he seen her is when he got on the bus and she walked in a different direction." Whetu's phone broke recently, Jones said, and before she vanished she'd been using her partner's phone to contact whānau. "He's just as distraught as we are. He's been really assistant with me in trying to locate [her]. He's been out there every day walking around the New Lynn mall, catching buses, looking down streets, looking at parks, all of that. "Yesterday he and his son were out there going to the mall, asking if police had been in contact with them for the [CCTV] footage and if they've seen Whetu come back around and showing photos and stuff to shops." Jones said Whetu had been a stepmother to her partner's 7-year-old son, who was staying with his mother when Whetu disappeared. The day after the argument Whetu's partner contacted the teen's mother in Morrinsville to inform her that her daughter was missing. Police were alerted on Wednesday and Jones was contacted by her mother on Thursday morning, she said. Jones said Whetu ran away once to a friend's house for three days but kept in constant contact with whānau and this disappearance was out-of-character. She was concerned that Whetu was reportedly "distressed" at the time she was last seen. At the time Whetu was wearing a beige top, a black dress and sunglasses. Jones understood it was a 30-minute walk home for Whetu from the mall and the teenager also had access to money. "I had asked him [Whetu's partner] if he could check the bank account to see if the money's been used but he can't check it so I said maybe we could pass that onto the police to see if she used her account." Whānau travelled to Auckland to begin their own search and were hopeful of finding Whetu with another sibling in South Auckland, she said. Jones, 37, was the eldest of 10 children and Whetu was number eight - the youngest daughter - and Jones said she helped to raise her. "We're going to have a meeting - a hui - to see what we can do to go forward, as we don't know what to do." She described Whetu as a very creative person. "She was just really bubbly. She loved babies, she loved all her nieces and nephews. She just loved being around family. "We come from a family of Christians so they've all been praying for us and praying for Whetu to come home safe, but because we're on day six now they're getting so worried that they're just coming up to Auckland now because it's been too long." Jones told police about a possible sighting inside the mall at 12.38pm that she was alerted to on social media, but police said Sunday morning there was no update in the case. A spokesperson said police reviewing CCTV footage was one avenue of enquiry. They have appealed for anyone who knows Whetu's whereabouts to contact police on 105.
RNZ News
28-06-2025
- RNZ News
'We just want her home': Missing 17-year-old last seen at mall in Auckland's New Lynn
Police are looking for missing 17-year-old Whetu Bennett, who was last seen at LynnMall in Auckland on Wednesday. Photo: Supplied / Police Police are seeking the public's help to find a 17-year-old girl who was last seen at an Auckland mall. Police said Whetu Bennett hadn't been seen since about 12pm on Wednesday when she was at LynnMall, in the suburb of New Lynn. However, Whetu's sister Janet Jones said her sister was last seen with her partner at Lynnmall on Tuesday around midday. Whetu was wearing a beige top, a black dress and sunglasses on the day she went missing, she said. Jones said Whetu's partner contacted their mother in the early hours of Thursday to tell her that he hadn't seen her since that day. She reported her sister going missing to the police on Thursday as soon as she found out from her mother. Jones said she understood Whetu and her partner had an argument at the mall and her partner had bused home from the mall by himself. She said Whetu moved to Auckland from Hamilton about two or three weeks ago to be with her partner and look for work. She hadn't spoken to Whetu since the move, as Whetu doesn't have a mobile phone, she said. Jones said if Whetu needed to message anyone, it would need to be done through her partner's phone. Jones said it's unusual for Whetu to be missing for so long. "No word from her over this amount of days is wild... at least one of our siblings, we come from a family of ten, one of us would've heard something from her at least. "All her siblings are waiting to hear from her, and we just want her to come home, just to message us and one of us will come and get her wherever she is," she added. A police spokesperson said on Saturday night, Whetu was still missing and police would assess information as it came in. The spokesperson said a family member reported Whetu missing and that the teenager had recently moved to Auckland from Waikato. Police re-posted the appeal three hours ago and asked anybody who knows the whereabouts of Whetu to contact police on 105 and quote the police reference number 250626/5181. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
South Wales Argus
24-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Call for defibrillator at Keepers Pond near drowning
Local Torfaen councillor Janet Jones is calling for a defibrillator to be installed at the popular tourist spot. Janet believes this is imperative before a 'fatality' occurs and that last week's incident involving a 27-year-old man who nearly drowned to death should be the wakeup call needed to spur this into motion. Torfaen councillor Janet Jones who thinks a defibrillator should be installed near the pond (Image: Torfaen Council) Addressing the subject Janet said: 'Greater action regarding safety needs to be taken now before there is a fatality. 'May I thank everyone involved in the recent incident for their prompt response, their actions saved this man's life.' Welsh Tourist Spot Keepers Pond where a man nearly drowned (Image: NQ) She continued: 'Over the past few year's leisure activities in and around the Keepers Pond have increased significantly, but with that comes concerns for public safety. 'During two meeting with Management partners and commoners at the Keepers Pond, the last one in April, also attended by my fellow councillor Nick Horler, I reiterated my concerns and again asked that a defibrillator be installed. Some present, were worried about possible vandalism of a defibrillator. 'I also raised my concerns at a steering committee meeting of the World Heritage Group held 12th June, and I was led to understand that my concerns would once again be brought to the attention of relevant officers.' Welsh Tourist Spot Keepers Pond where a man nearly drowned (Image: NQ) Currently there are defibrillators at Blaenavon Fire Station and the Blaenavon Blues Football Club however are situated a fair bit away from the Keepers Pond. Janet said: 'Unless you are a local resident, and know where these are situated, this could be costly when trying to save a life.' Monmouthshire Council responsible for the upkeep of the site were contacted for comment.
South Wales Argus
11-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Councillor concerned at wild swimming at Keeper's Pond
Keeper's Pond, above Blaenavon, is within the UNESCO recognised World Heritage site but local councillors have raised concerns over waste and whether enough is being done to remove it. Independent councillors Janet Jones and Nick Horler, who both represent Blaenavon, asked questions over action to address fly-tipping and litter at Torfaen Borough Council's June 10 meeting. Cllr Jones said the area, which was recognised by the United Nations body for its importance to the development of the industrial revolution, has seen an increase in leisure activities which she said can pose a threat to biodiversity. She said: 'We have seen an increase in the popularity of leisure activities within the World Heritage site. This has led to concerns about the preservation of biodiversity on our doorstep. In particular, the amount of off-roading along the mountainside, swimming, and general gatherings at the Keeper's Pond.' She asked if Torfaen council has a budget to 'manage and protect' its areas recognised as being of 'outstanding universal value'. Her colleague, Cllr Horler, said fly tipping on private land is a 'blight on our heritage landscape' and asked a budget be put in place to make it easier for officers to remove fly tipping once landowners have been given notice to do so. He also said the council should have a process to remove waste within a set time limit and for costs to be recovered from landowners. READ MORE: Council leader Anthony Hunt said he 'fully appreciates the frustration' caused by fly tipping and said the council always takes action 'as quickly as we can' to address it but said 'we do have to take care as regards the law and what we can do within those powers.' The Labour leader also said he'd be 'happy' to involve the fire brigade in discussions around addressing fly-tipping after Cllr Horler said he was concerned it was placing an additional strain on the service. On Keeper's Pond Cllr Hunt said it was recognised enjoyment of the 'beautiful countryside' has increased 'tensions' but said the actual pond is within Monmouthshire County Council's boundaries but he would be 'happy' to raise the issue with the council. He said Monmouthshire County Council is partner in the World Heritage site partnership and retains responsibility for its land and assets in the protected area.
