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Springfield, Massachusetts man with alleged ties to the Genovese crime family swept up in last week's indictment against Northwest, Indiana sports betting ring
The 87-page, 28-count indictment announced Thursday following a series of raids in the northwest portion of the state alleges that a popular restaurateur ran the business from 2021 through last month
A Burr Ridge, Illinois restaurateur was also charged as his restaurant remains open
Federal investigators said a Springfield, Massachusetts man who went to prison in 2003 for his involvement in a gambling and loansharking ring was among those charged last week for his alleged role in a Northwest Indiana sports betting ring that extended across the U.S.A as far as Los Angeles and even Puerto Rico.
The investigation was dubbed "Operation Porterhouse Parlay" in reference to the ringleader's ownership in a popular Hammond, Indiana area steakhouse that remains closed as of Tuesday.
Giuseppe Manzi, 51, was one of 22 people indicted and is facing charges of operation of an illegal gambling business and multiple counts of transmission of wagering information.
He reportedly has ties to the Genovese crime family.
Manzi was sentenced to about 3½ years in federal prison in 2003.
The FBI says more arrests could be coming following the take down of a multi-state sports betting business run from the Hammond.
The 87-page, 28-count indictment announced Thursday following a series of raids in the northwest portion of the state alleges that a popular restaurateur ran the business from 2021 through last month.
James “Jimmy the Greek” Gerodemos of Schererville, Indiana, along with Dean “Dean Gem” Gialamas, are said to have been the masterminds of the operation.
Gerodemos is linked to two restaurants, including Paragon Restaurant and Gino’s Steakhouse.
Signs posted at both restaurants alerted customers that they were "closed". It's unclear how long they were remain shuttered.
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.
Nearly half of those charged are believed to still be in custody.
They include the owner of a Burr Ridge, Illinois Italian restaurant, Capri Ristorante. Filippo Rovito, also known as “Gigi,” was charged with running/participating in an illegal gambling business and conspiracy to collect gambling debts through extortion. Prosecutors specifically describe him as an enforcer/collector. That restaurant remains open.
“Through this indictment, the grand jury has alleged that the defendants built an illegal gambling organization that operated both online and in person at two northern Indiana businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred. “According to the indictment, members of the organization used threats and intimidation to collect on gambling debts. My office bears the burden of proving that the defendants are guilty of these charges, which I am confident we will do. In the meantime, I want to make two points. First, every defendant named in this indictment is entitled to a fair trial by a jury of their peers and is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. And second, like all investigations, this one is continuing. My office will investigate any additional crimes revealed by the evidence and any additional subjects who might have participated in the alleged criminal activity. If you believe that you are a victim of the alleged organization, or if you have any information relevant to it, you are encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
“Illegal gambling operations often fuel broader criminal activity and exploit our communities for profit,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI, in partnership with our law enforcement colleagues, is committed to dismantling these criminal networks and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.”
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
