An executive producer for the Showtime hit “Ray Donovan” copped a plea to running a Los Angeles sports book as a Manhattan federal judge on Monday sentenced him to two years probation.
The slap-on-the-wrist sentence by Judge Jesse Furman — which includes six months of home confinement and a $20,000 fine — came after lawyers for Hollywood honcho Bryan Zuriff begged the judge for leniency, saying any prison time could require Zuriff to leave the cable TV series, which stars Liev Schreiber.
A star-studded list of supporters sent letters to the judge on behalf of Zuriff, including director Judd Apatow and “Ray Donovan” co-star Jon Voight.
Zuriff’s sports book had been linked by the feds to an international gambling ring with ties to the Russian mob that has attracted A-list celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Alex Rodriguez.
Zuriff’s lawyer, Isabelle Kirschner, told Furman that Zuriff’s reputation has been “ruined,” and he’s “already paid a tremendous price.” She blamed his crime on a gambling addiction for which he’s currently getting counseling.
“I don’t think prison will serve any useful purpose in this case,” said Furman. “He was hardly a mastermind in any of the crimes he was involved in.”
Zuriff previously forfeited $500,000 to the government as part of his plea agreement, which contained a recommended prison sentence of six to 12 months.
The feds in May indicted a total of 34 people for being part of the scheme, including reputed Russian mobsters and notorious Hollywood “poker madam” Molly Bloom. Among those who have copped pleas are playboy Manhattan art dealer aHillel “Helly” Nahmad.