Urlacher Pardoned But Another Defendant in Sports Betting Case Pleads Guilty

Submitted by Associated Press on

Written by :

Associated Press

Published on :

Urlacher Pardoned But Another Defendant in Sports Betting Case Pleads Guilty

(AP) - A guilty plea was entered Monday by another defendant in the sports gambling case that involved a northern Illinois mayor who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump.

Matthew Knight, 47, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges for allegedly collecting gambling losses or paid off winnings for the multimillion-dollar sports gambling ring.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Kinney told U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall that evidence in the case is made up of several secret recordings, as well as “surveillance evidence” of Knight meeting with gamblers, either to pay them or accept money from them.

Vincent Del Giudice of Orland Park, the alleged leader of the ring, pleaded guilty last month to gambling conspiracy and money laundering charges. Prosecutors alleged Del Giudice, 55, paid a Costa Rica-based sportsbook a service fee of $10,000 a week to use its online platform and recruited gamblers to place wagers on his website.

Two others, Todd Blanken and Eugene Del Giudice, also pleaded guilty to charges relating to the case.

Donald Trump decided in the final hours of his presidency in January to pardon Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher, brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher. Casey Urlacher, who was accused of working as an agent for the ring, is now running for re-election.

Related Content

Las Vegas sign

Two Vegas Casinos Accused of Sex Trafficking: Actor Sentenced to Life

The Dancing With Wolves star claimed to be a spiritual leader and used that status to avoid women on the properties, including minors.
FBI

Major Sports Betting Business Taken Down in Northwest Indiana: Schererville Restaurateur Alleged Mastermind

The 87-page indictment from January 2021 to April 2026 was unsealed revealing James “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos as the alleged mastermind
The Lodge Card Club

Austin Texas Area Lodge Card Club to Reopen as All Charges Dropped

Seized funds and equipment will also be returned
Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier Accused in Gambling Scheme Now Facing Bribery Charges

Terry Rozier was originally charged along with five others with fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for their alleged use of inside information to profit from illegal betting activity.