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.
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