Two seasoned Texas cops are being investigated by the federal government for running an illegal off-shore gambling scheme for over five years.
Houston police officers Steve Glezman and Brian Jordan have both been in the police force for over 20 years.
The two men were relieved of duty in May under mysterious circumstances with police only saying they were being investigated for [__“alleged criminal activity.”__](http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/HPD-officer-relieved-of-duty-6278565.php) They retired shortly after to ensure their pensions would start paying.
Now we’re learning that they are being investigated for running the gambling scheme that netted more than $3.1 million, enabling the officers to buy Rolexes and ranches and boxing gloves signed by Muhammad Ali as well as a basketball signed by a “Dream Team” American Olympic basketball team.
According to the [__Houston Chronicle:__](http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Two-former-HPD-officers-linked-to-illegal-6767639.php?cmpid=gsa-chron-result)
> Steve Glezman, 43, and Brian Jordan, 52, both sergeants with more than 20 years on the force, were relieved of duty in May because they were being investigated for alleged criminal activity. At the time, HPD officials would not comment on the nature of the investigations. Both retired within months.
> But recent court records show that the former officers – and a Cypress man named Timothy Large – worked together for five years to run an online sports gambling business with a sophisticated ring of strawmen and front companies that netted more than $3.1 million.
> Authorities said Large told them he made between $200,000 and $300,000 a year for the past 10 years from illegal gambling, his only source of income, court records show.
> Neither Large nor the former officers have been charged with a crime. The accusations against them were laid out in forfeiture lawsuits filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Texas. These lawsuits are typically filed by government or law enforcement officials to seize and keep property tied to alleged illegal activities.
Glezman and Jordan along with four others allegedly put together an off-shore sports gambling business and have been operating it since 2010.
Internal Affairs investigations will continue, despite the fact that since the investigations began both officers have retired.
Still, both Glezman and Jordan are at risk of losing their homes and other possessions if found guilty, according to [__The Dallas Morning News__](http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20160117-ex-houston-cops-part-of-feds-probe-of-online-sports-betting-operation.ece).
> Among the items the government wants from Glezman are his house and the 17-acre ranch it sits on in Montgomery valued at $605,000. In May, agents seized numerous items from him including two assault rifles, autographed Mike Tyson boxing shorts and a signed Jerry Rice 49ers jersey, court records show.
> A forfeiture lawsuit also has been filed against Large’s $446,461 home in Cypress. Agents seized sports memorabilia and numerous other items from the home including signed Muhammad Ali boxing gloves, a Larry Bird basketball jersey and a signed Super Bowl football.
> Agents also seized items from Jordan’s $546,135 home in Houston, including watches. They said he has spent money on airfare, hotels, country clubs, golf, private school tuition and auto maintenance.
Ironically, Glezman had been working in the burglary and theft division since 1994, while Jordan had been an officer since 1992 in the vice division.
According to court records, both officers used cash made from their gambling hustle to travel, go on cruises and parade in country clubs.
Nearly two months ago, another couple of cops, also from Texas, [__made headlines.__](http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/11/austin-police-beat-up-men-for-jaywalking-in-texas/)
Back in November, two men had just crossed the street when they were rushed by several Austin police officers who shoved them against a wall, punching and kneeing them while telling them to stop resisting.
When asked what crime had the men committed, one of the cops looked up and said, “crossed against the light.”
Yes, that heinous crime of jaywalking, which is taken very serious in Austin as we learned last year when the city made [__international news__](http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-26332319) after police beat up a jogger for jaywalking.
