05071991 - News Article - Judge revokes Merrillville woman's bond in mob case

Judge revokes Merrillville woman's bond in mob case
NWI Times
May 7, 1991
http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/judge-revokes-merrillville-woman-s-bond-in-mob-case/article_36eaad43-ac37-5e09-a436-4802c5ba6a19.html
HAMMOND - A federal magistrate Monday ordered the detention of a Merrillville woman after testimony that she allegedly continued to run a sports book making operation after her and family members' indictment for the same offense last December.

U.S. Magistrate Andrew P. Rodovich revoked the $20,000 bond of Jennifer Kaufman, 37, sister of three others who are among 15 area residents named in a 31-count racketeering, extortion and gambling indictment. Sam Nuzzo Jr., 44; his brother, Arthur Nuzzo, 33; and another sister Sandra Mynes, 43, were ordered detained by Rodovich last week. Their lawyers said they would appeal the decision to revoke their clients' bonds.

Others named in the indictment are Dominick Palermo, alleged South Side boss of the Chicago "Outfit" crime family, and his aide Nicholas Guzzino.

Rodovich ordered Kaufman held pending the defendants' trial July 22.

Rodovich did grant a defense lawyer's request to allow Kaufman to visit her doctor to address a potentially serious illness.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents played wiretapped phone conversations between Kaufman and another Nuzzo family member, Brenda Nuzzo, in which the two allegedly plotted Kaufman's false employment.

"I'm going to put down some form of employment," Kaufman told Nuzzo during one conversation, evidently in reference to filling out work papers. "You'll have to give me a check, and I'll have to turn around and cash it and give you the money right back."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Thill said the evidence was presented because Kaufman told federal officials she was legitimately employed while out on bond. "We presented evidence to show that was a farce," Thill said.

The four's rearrest last week followed the execution of 30 search warrants and wiretaps. All four were charged in the December indictment with one count of running an illegal gambling business. Sam Nuzzo Jr. faces an additional charge of racketeering and two counts of extortion.

The first indictment against the Nuzzo family, however, did not dissuade the four from continuing the same activities, Thill said, prompting him Monday to repeat his request for Kaufman's detention.