Culminating from a two-year investigation by U.S. federal officials, twenty-seven people were charged last year with helping to run an illegal online gambling ring that was estimated to be bringing in $1.4 billion per year. Readers may recall the headline arrest of the professional poker player, James Giordano, who is thought to allegedly be the brains behind the gambling ring. As the case continues moving forward, a series of court hearings held this week reveal several defendants offering guilty pleas.

Wrapping up the hearings was the case against the husband and wife couple, Daniel and Melissa Clarin, who both pleaded guilty to felony charges. Daniel Clarin is being charged with enterprise corruption, and will face up to seven years in prison and a forfeiture of over $250,000. Melissa Clarin, who is facing a lesser charge of conspiracy, will be spared from jail time so long as she pays up $72,508 in illegal earnings from online gambling revenue.

Melissa Clarin is actually the daughter of James Giordano, so there should be no wondering about the connection there. Giordano, on the other hand, is pleading innocent, and is currently awaiting his own trial. Giordano's attorney's are going to have a tough time getting him off the hook, for the case came to a head when authorities raided Giordano's home and confiscated computers and equipment that would seem to otherwise allude to his involvement in the online gambling ring.

According to prosecutors, the website, playwithall.com and offshore computer servers were being used to accept and process online bets. Involving multiple land-based bookies and online services, the gambling ring managed to successfully cater to tens of thousands of online bettors. Those accused with having a stake in the helping the ring to operate resided in several U.S. states, including Florida, Nevada, New Jersey and New York.