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Alleged enforcer in Northwestern Indiana sports betting bust appears in photographs with top regional elected officials including a Region police chief and recent sheriff's candidate as well as a top labor union officials.
Michael Campbell agreed last week to waive his right to a detention hearing and will remain incarcerated until his case is resolved.
Prosecutors accuse Campbell of exhibiting “erratic behavior,” specifically when chasing an undercover agent on April 9 in his car for about an hour, at speeds in excess of 100 mph
Late last month, the FBI announced the arrests of 22 individuals as part of “Operation Porterhouse Parlay.” An 87-page indictment alleges the defendants were involved in a sprawling illegal sports betting ring that stretched from New York to Los Angeles and Puerto Rico, allegedly using threats and intimidation to maintain control of the operation. The business ran primarily out of the Northwestern region of Indiana, including Hammond.
This week we are learning that one of those arrested is accused of being an enforcer of the ring. Specifically, he is described in the federal filings as a "bettor, bookie, line pool seller, money runner/collector and enforcer" of the organization.
That individual, Michael Campbell, can be seen in photos posted to social media in recent weeks, posing in political and social settings with top Region elected officials, a Region police chief and recent sheriff's candidate and top labor union officials.
The highest law enforcement officer in Lake County spent thousands of dollars at the restaurant where the gambling ring allegedly operated, FOX Chicago's Joanie Lum found.
Campbell, also a member of the Laborers Local 81 union, agreed last week to waive his right to a detention hearing and will remain incarcerated until his case is resolved.
Pictured above: Michael Campbell
From NWI.com:
Prosecutors accuse Campbell of exhibiting “erratic behavior,” specifically when chasing an undercover agent on April 9 in his car for about an hour, at speeds in excess of 100 mph, on Interstate 65 from Northwest Indiana to Lafayette. Campbell was driving a truck owned by his local labor union at the time, federal authorities allege.
Prosecutors filed a motion to detain Campbell last week that contains details about his conduct and communications with other members of the alleged illegal gambling ring prosecutors say was run by Region restaurateur James Gerodemos and his family.
James “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos of Schererville, Indiana, along with Dean “Dean Gem” Gialamas, are said to have been the masterminds of the operation.
Campbell's admiration for Gerodemos is documented in texts where he refers to the alleged ring leader as “a mentor, a confidant and a source of inspiration.”
“Your steadfast determination and relentless pursuit of success continue to inspire me on my own path,” according to notes from Campbell quoted in the court documents.
Gerodemos previously served six months in prison back in 2015 after being convicted of dealing explosive materials without a license,. At the time he was found to be in possession of 16,000 pounds of commercial and illegal fireworks.
The City of Hobart Indiana granted him a license in 2023 to open a fireworks facility there.
Gerodemos is linked to two restaurants, including Paragon Restaurant and Gino’s Steakhouse, both located in Northwest Indiana.
The indictment goes on to allege that employees of Gino’s and Paragon also facilitated the operation through collection and distribution of revenue with agents, bookies and bettors, ranging from hundreds of dollars to nearly $50,000. According to the indictment, lines of credit were provided so bettors can begin betting immediately. And for those with debt not paid off, prosecutors say the organization threatened them and tracked them down.
The organization’s members used money from losing bettors to pay the winners and the leaders of the Gerodemos Gambling Organization. If a payment couldn’t be made to a winner, the Gerodemos Gambling Organization would cover the payment, according to the indictment.
Members of the gambling operation communicated regularly about how much money a bettor owed (M or minus) and how much it owed to a bettor (P or plus). They also met with their agents, bookies and some bettors in person, inside public buildings or in parking lots, to collect or deliver payments for the sports bets, according to the indictment.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
