The head football coach at West Haven High School was among five people
arrested Wednesday on gambling charges as part of an investigation into
illegal bookmaking operations. Edward McCarthy, 60, and the four others were
charged with professional gambling, possession of gambling records and using
a telephone to transmit and receive gambling information. The others
arrested were Bernard McDermott, 48, of West Haven; Angela Consorte, 45, of
West Haven; Pasquale Demaio, 67, of North Haven; and Paul Bowen, 50, of West
Haven. The five were arrested by the Connecticut State Polices Statewide
Organized Crime Investigative Task Force, which began an investigation of
illegal bookmaking operations in North Haven and West Haven in 2006.
McCarthy's home and his West Haven business, a bar called The Dugout, were
among sites raided by state police armed with search warrants on Jan. 21.
McCarthy has been a physical education teacher and football coach at West
Haven High School since 1983. He ranks second in the state in career wins
for a high school coach with 277. Superintendent of Schools JoAnn Hurd
Andrees said McCarthy was continuing to teach at the school and would be
allowed to do so while district officials investigate the matter. "Of course
we're concerned," Andrees said. "Were looking into the incident, and we're
treating this as we would with any other staff member who might be involved
with a similar act. He doesn't appear to be an imminent danger to the
children. When we receive all the facts we will act accordingly."