NYC Art World Scion Pleads Guilty

NEW YORK (AP) – A New York City art world impresario has pleaded guilty in a Russian-American organized crime case.

Hillel “Helly” Nahmad admitted in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday that he was part of an illegal gambling business.

Nahmad told the judge that his involvement began with a few friends betting on sports but ended up crossing the line.

Nahmad comes from an art-dealing clan whose collection includes 300 Picassos worth an estimated $900 million.

He faces up to 18 months in prison at sentencing on March 19.

The case also involved illegal poker games in New York City that attracted pro athletes and business executives