"Cadillac Pete" surrenders, seeks court appointed attorney
NWI Times
Dec 21, 1990
http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/cadillac-pete-surrenders-seeks-appointed/article_05b72427-a07c-5513-abae-4190d2a2d1fa.html
HAMMOND - A hearing will be held today to decide whether three reputed Northwest Indiana organized crime figures, including Peter A. "Cadillac Pete" Petros, can be released on bond.
Petros surrendered Thursday morning at the U.S. Marshall's office in Hammond and was being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. At his initial hearing before U.S. Magistrate Andrew Rodovich Thursday afternoon,
Petros asked for a court-appointed attorney.
Appearing much older than his 56 years, the thin and diminutive Petros said he has not been employed since 1974 and has been living on Social Security disability income since 1975. He said he receives $750 a month.
Asked by Rodovich if he supports anyone else, Petros said, "I try to help my daughter and granddaughter with $50 at the end of each month. That's all I can afford."
Petros was one of 15 people indicted Friday by a U.S. Grand Jury for racketeering and extortion activities in Northwest Indiana and the south suburbs. His surrender leaves only one, Steve Sfouris, 55, of Munster, still at large.
Federal officials believe Sfouris, who allegedly ran a high stakes dice game and was linked to live adult entertainment in Northwest Indiana, has fled to Greece.
The 15 were named in a 29-count indictment that alleges they shook down local businessmen for a cut of the profits from illegal video poker games.
Thirteen were arrested Tuesday by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Thill said 11 have been released on bond.
The U.S. is asking Rodovich to hold Petros, Dominic "Tootsie" Palermo and Nicholas "Nicky" Guzzino without bond until trial, alleging they are dangerous. Palermo, 72, of Orland Park, is the reputed head of the crime syndicate that controls the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
Palermo has been identified by police as one of four territorial bosses for the Chicago "Outfit" La Cosa Nostra crime family. Guzzino, 49, of Chicago Heights, was reputedly Palermo's top lieutenant with authority to collect street taxes on the illegal gambling.
Petros has been charged on one count of racketeering, one count of conspiracy and four counts of extortion. He faces a maximum of 20 years in jail and a fine of $250,000 for each count.
Petros, a former LaPorte resident, allegedly committed the crimes in Lake and LaPorte counties, taking money from video game operators Tim Janowsky and Reginald Kinkade between December 1984 and November 1986. Thill refused to comment on whether Janowsky and Kinkade were cooperating with U.S. officials in the investigation.
Kinkade and Janowsky were owners of local vending machine companies that provided poker and other gambling machines for local taverns. Kinkade, convicted of gambling and conspiracy earlier this year, owned Variety Amusement in East Chicago. Janowsky, an FBI informant, was the owner of Geno's Vending in Merrillville.
Janowsky was a key witness in the October 1983 federal extortion trial of Frank R. Esposito, of Crete; Richard Piekarski, of Crete; Ronald Figurski, of Dolton; and Gary Novak, of Crown Point.
All were charged with attempting to shake down Janowsky for 50 percent of his profit on electronic poker games in exchange for being allowed to distribute the games in mob-controlled Northwest Indiana.
Those arrested Tuesday and released on bond were: Bernard J. Morgano, 54, and Anthony Leone, 51, both of Valparaiso; Sam M. Glorioso, 48, of Gary; Anthony J. Ottomanelli, 60, Ned M. Pujo, 51, Yolande Martha Pujo, 55, all of Portage; and Sam Nuzzo Sr., 69, Sam Nuzzo Jr., 45, Arthur A. Nuzzo, 33, Sandra T. Mynes, 43, and Jennifer Kaufman, 37, all of Merrillville.
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