01191991 - News Article - Alleged mobsters slapped with more charges

Alleged mobsters slapped with more charges
NWI Times
Jan 19, 1991
http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/alleged-mobsters-slapped-with-more-charges/article_9efc8303-7cd5-5c3e-b584-f9171db8617d.html
HAMMOND - Additional charges have been filed against three men charged in what has been hailed as the largest organized crime case ever handled in northern Indiana.

The new 30-count indictment that supersedes a 29-count indictment filed last month adds a couple of acts under the main charge, the Racketeering Influence Corrupt Organization Act.

Charged under the RICO act is the reported head of the crime family - Dominick Palermo, 72, of Orland Park, and his aide, Nicholas Albert Guzzino, 49, of Chicago Heights.

Guzzino, Bernard J. Morgano, 54, of Valparaiso, and Steve Sfouris, 55, of Munster, were charged in the additional count. They are accused of traveling between Indiana and Illinois to deliver proceeds from an illegal gambling operation and an extortion business allegedly conducted by the Chicago-based "Outfit" crime family.

All 15 defendants charged in the new indictment are the same; only the additional count against Guzzino, Morgano and Sfouris and the additional acts contained in the RICO act - which detail more of their alleged activities - were new. An arraignment on the new charges is scheduled for Jan. 30 in the U.S. District Court in Hammond. A trial is tentatively set for March 4 before Judge James T. Moody.

Palermo, Guzzino and Peter Petros, 56, of Chicago, who was also charged, are being held at the Metropolitan Correction Center until their trial. Sfouris, who was also charged in the indictment for running an illegal Greek dice game know as "barbut," is still a fugitive and is believed to have escaped to his native Greece.

The indictments, which stem from an eight-year investigation, charge Palermo and his organization with extorting protection money, or a "street tax," from other illegal gambling businesses. According to the indictment, businesses and their owners were threatened if they refused to pay.

Thousands of dollars collected from the business owners were transported each week from Lake and LaPorte county businesses to the south suburbs, where the crime family is based, according to federal prosecutors.

Palermo, a field representative for the Laborers International Union Local 5 in Chicago Heights, is a member of the "Outfit," a crime syndicate that has operated in Northwest Indiana since the 1900s, federal officials said.

Palermo's position in the crime family was reportedly elevated with the arrest and conviction last year of the Chicago Heights mob boss Albert Tocco, who is serving a 200-year prison term.

Other defendants charged in the case and who have been released on bond are Anthony Leone, 51, of Valparaiso; Sam M. Glorioso, 48, of Gary; Sam Nuzzo Sr., 69, and his four children, Sam Nuzzo Jr., 45, Arthur A. Nuzzo, 33, Sandra T. Mynes, 43, and Jennifer Kaufman, 37, all of Merrillville; Anthony J. Ottomanelli, 60, of Portage; and husband and wife, Ned M. Pujo, 51, and Yolande Martha Pujo, 55, both of Portage.

01151991 - News Article - 15 alleged gamblers set for trial March 4

15 alleged gamblers set for trial March 4
Post-Tribune (IN)
January 15, 1991
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.proxy.portagelibrary.info/resources/doc/nb/news/10852BD301603621?p=AWNB
A reputed Chicago crime boss and 14 other alleged gamblers and syndicate members are slated for trial March 4 before U.S. District Judge James T. Moody in Hammond.

A federal grand jury indicted Dominick "Tootsie" Palermo, 72, of Orland Park, Ill., and 14 others on Dec. 14. The indictment culminated an eight-year undercover operation by the FBI. Twelve of the 15 are residents of Lake and Porter counties.

Palermo is the reputed head of the crime syndicate's operations in Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The indictment alleges that Palermo and his organization extorted protection money - known as a street tax - from illegal gambling businesses.

U.S. Magistrate Andrew P. Rodovich, upon a motion by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Thill, ordered Palermo, Nicholas "Nicky" Guzzino, 49, of Chicago Heights, Ill., and Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros, 56, of Cicero, Ill., held without bond. Thill presented evidence that they are a threat to the community.

Vincent Kirrin's trial delayed
The trial of East Chicago political power broker Vincent Kirrin has been continued until March 4, the fourth such delay since his indictment in December 1989.

U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano granted the continuance, largely because his courtroom is being used by U.S. District Judge Allen Sharp, who is presiding over the case involving former United Steelworkers Local 1014 officers, a Catholic priest and a bingo game at McBride Hall. The trial is expected to end in early February.

Kirrin, 64, who owns a home in rural Winfield Township but spends most of his time in Hammond, is charged with conspiracy, mail fraud and tax violations, stemming from a contract he had with Lake County commissioners.

The previous trial dates have been June, September and November 1990. The trial was continued after Kirrin underwent eye surgery then had a malignant tumor removed from his stomach. He has made a full recovery.

The indictment, a product of the Operation Lights Out probe into corruption in Lake County government, alleges that Kirrin in 1985 and 1986 paid cash and other items of value to various county commissioners and commissioners' employees in exchange for Midwest Building Services Inc. being awarded the contract to clean the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point.

01051991 - News Article - Seven more plead innocent to mob-related charges

Seven more plead innocent to mob-related charges
NWI Times
Jan 5, 1991
http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/seven-more-plead-innocent-to-mob-related-charges/article_227f080a-c809-506c-8e2a-ecd495f30198.html
HAMMOND - Seven defendants pleaded innocent Friday to charges they worked with a Chicago-based crime family to extort money and direct illegal gambling in Chicago's southern suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

Only two of the 15 people charged in a 29-count indictment have yet to be arraigned. The seven who entered pleas Friday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Andrew P. Rodovich have been released on bond.

The indictments unveiled last month resulted from an eight-year federal investigation into local sports betting and high-stakes gambling operations.

The probe focused on the "street tax" the so-called Chicago "Outfit" crime family allegedly collected from bookmakers and gamblers.

Entering innocent pleas Friday were: Bernard J. "Snooky" Morgano, 54, of Valparaiso; Sam Nuzzo Sr., 69, of Merrillville; Sam Nuzzo Jr., 45, of Merrillville; Arthur A. Nuzzo, 33, of Merrillville; sisters Sandra T. Mynes, 43, and Jennifer Kaufman, 37, both of Merrillville; and husband and wife Ned Pujo, 51, and Yolande "Kim" Pujo, 55, both of Portage.

Alleged mob boss Dominick "Tootsie" Palermo, his aide Nicholas "Nicky" Guzzino and associate Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros pleaded innocent during their arraignment last week. Anthony "Potatoes" Ottomanelli, 60, of Portage, pleaded innocent to charges of conducting an illegal gambling business.

Palermo, 72, of Orland Park, Guzzino, 49, of Chicago Heights, and Petros, 49, of Chicago Heights, were ordered held until their trial at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.

Sam M. "Frog" Glorioso, 48, of Gary, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, but was not because his lawyer could not be present. Anthony Leone, 51, of Valparaiso, who is also charged, is serving a five-year sentence that started December 1988. The remaining defendant, Steve Sfouris, 55, of Munster, remains a fugitive. Officials believe he has fled to Greece.

Petros faces 120 years in prison for alleged racketeering, racketeering conspiracy and extortion; Guzzino is looking at 115 years on the same charges, plus charges for operating an illegal gambling business and interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises; and Palermo faces 70 years for alleged racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, operation of an illegal gambling business and interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises. Each also faces more than $1 million in fines.

01051991 - News Article - 9 plead not guilty to gambling charges

9 plead not guilty to gambling charges
Post-Tribune (IN)
January 5, 1991
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.proxy.portagelibrary.info/resources/doc/nb/news/10852BC8A9D18DC2?p=AWNB
Nine alleged gamblers and reputed members of the crime syndicate pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court Friday on charges including racketeering, extortion and illegal gambling.

The nine are among 15 defendants named in a December indictment. It culminated an eight-year investigation into the crime syndicate and the ''street tax" it extorted from longtime gamblers in Lake and Porter counties.

The reputed leader of the organization is Dominick "Tootsie" Palermo, 72, of Orland Park, Ill., the street boss for the south side of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

U.S. Magistrate Andrew P. Rodovich ordered Palermo and two others held without bond two weeks ago.

Appearing Friday were:
Bernard "Snooky" Morgano, 54, of Valparaiso, the alleged street boss for Northwest Indiana who reported to Palermo.

He is charged with racketeering and extortion. He was represented by Dyer attorney Richard F. James.

Sam "Frog" Glorioso, 48, of Gary, an alleged collector of the street tax, is charged with racketeering and extortion. He was represented by Merrillville lawyer Arlington Foley.

Sam Nuzzo Sr., 69, of Merrillville, is the alleged operator of the sports- betting business in Northwest Indiana. He is charged with illegal gambling.

Nuzzo's sons, Arthur Nuzzo, 33, and Sam Nuzzo Jr., 45, both of Merrillville, are charged in connection with the alleged sports betting operation.

Arthur Nuzzo is charged with illegal gambling and Sam Nuzzo Jr. with racketeering and extortion. Gary attorney Scott King represented Sam Nuzzo Jr. and Merrillville lawyer Thomas Vanes represented the other two Nuzzos.

Sandra T. Mynes, 43, and Jennifer Kaufman, 37, both of Merrillville, are charged with illegal gambling in connection with the alleged sports betting. They are Sam Nuzzo's daughters. They were represented by Merrillville attorney Martin H. Kinney.

Ned M. Pujo, 51, and Yolande Pujo, 55, of Portage, are charged with illegal gambling. They were represented by Merrillville lawyer John Kelly.

Entering not guilty pleas along with Palermo last week were Nicholas ''Nicky" Guzzino, 49, of Chicago Heights, Ill., and Peter "Cadillac Pete" Petros, 56, of Cicero, Ill. He was a longtime LaPorte resident.

Each is being held without bond. They are charged with racketeering and extortion.

Anthony J. "Potatoes" Ottomanelli, 60, of Portage, is charged with illegal gambling. He was released on bond after pleading not guilty last week.

Steve Sfouris, 55, of Munster, the longtime operator of barbotte, a high- stakes Greek dice game, is charged with racketeering. He has fled to Greece, the FBI said.

Anthony Leone, 51, of Valparaiso, is charged with racketeering and extortion. He is in prison serving an eight-year term for running an illegal lottery.

U.S. District Judge James T. Moody is expected to set a trial date next week for all 15 defendants.